Newcastle had been here before.
The visitors also had an extra man for a large period after Villa went down to 10 men on the opening day of the Premier League season at Villa Park.
Howe’s men could not find a way through that afternoon but, this time, they made that advantage count thanks in no small part to Sandro Tonali.
The Italian’s recent performances have come under scrutiny, but this was a return to goalscoring form when Newcastle needed it most in the absence of injured captain and talisman Bruno Guimaraes, who has been ruled out for two months.
They have lost plenty of games with the Brazilian in the middle of the park, but there is a reason why this side have not won any of the 10 league games he has not featured in since making his debut in February, 2022.
Guimaraes has so often dragged his team level or popped up with a winning goal, but this was a night where Tonali took on that mantle in his absence.
By the time German forward Nick Woltemade added a much-needed third goal, buoyant Newcastle supporters were singing about the prospect of returning to Wembley in a few months time.
Having ended their 70-year wait for silverware by winning the Carabao Cup at that very stadium last season, they are daring to dream again.
History will give them hope too.
In five of the previous six seasons – dating back to 1895 – Villa and Newcastle have met in the FA Cup, one of them has reached the final.