Newcastle United are through to the FA Cup fifth round after coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in a controversial match on Saturday evening
Isaac Seelochan Senior Sports Journalist
22:11, 14 Feb 2026
Jacob Ramsey jokingly kissed the Newcastle United badge (Image: TNT Sports)
Newcastle United midfielder Jacob Ramsey was seen jokingly kissing the Magpies’ badge in front of former Aston Villa team mate Morgan Rodgers before Saturday’s 3-1 win at Villa Park. Newcastle are through to the FA Cup fifth round after a Sandro Tonali brace and a Nick Woltemade finish saw off Unai Emery’s side.
Ramsey played 80 minutes against his old club before being substituted for Joe Willock. The 24-year-old joined Newcastle for £40million from Villa in the summer transfer window, but has not quite caught fire yet in a Magpies shirt.
The Englishman has just one goal and no assists for Howe’s men and is arguably the club’s fifth choice midfielder behind Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Lewis Miley at present. But he put in an encouraging performance against his old team on Saturday after scoring against Tottenham in midweek.
And the Birmingham-born star was in a light-hearted mood before kick-off after being shown joking with his friend, Villa star Rodgers, in the on-pitch warm-up before the game. Ramsey kissed the Newcastle badge on his training top, with Rodgers jokingly giving him the thumbs down to show his disapproval.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! Keep up with all the Newcastle United latest via the Chronicle’s dedicated Facebook page
Rogers and Ramsey are good friends, with the former sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram after his pal moved to St James’ Park last summer.
“41 – going to miss you partner. The place won’t be the same without you. I love you my brother,” he said at the time.
Ramsey may now be feeling more positive about his game after admitting to the club’s matchday programme last month that learning the intricacies of the No.8 role at Newcastle has taken time.
Ramsey scored the winner for Newcastle at Tottenham in midweek(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
He said: “The manager wants different things from me and it was always going to take time. It’s been difficult, playing different positions and learning different roles. At Villa, most recently I played on the wing.
“Here, I’m playing more centrally, which I feel is more natural to me. It’s getting back to those old basics and little reminders.”
**Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. **Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Newcastle return to action on Wednesday away at Qarabag in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie.
The Magpies then travel to title challengers Manchester City next Saturday. Eddie Howe’s men will be hoping for more luck with referees, having seen a number of controversial incidents go against them at Villa Park. Fortunately, it didn’t matter, thanks to Tonali’s superb strike and Woltemade’s 11th goal of the season.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.