Eddie Howe’s side must overturn a two-goal defecit against Manchester City tonight
10:09, 04 Feb 2026Updated 10:11, 04 Feb 2026
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are up against it tonight(Image: PA)
History shows Newcastle have a chance – if only a small chance – of reviving their hopes of a League Cup final return to Wembley by turning around their semi-final against Manchester City tonight.
The Magpies have it all to do after trailing to a 2-0 first-leg defeat thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki, with a place in the final against Arsenal awaiting either Newcastle or City
But United’s hopes rest on them taking a 32-year-old history lesson. A lesson from a club who have dealt them even more recent pain than City.
For it is Aston Villa who provide a rare spark of hope that the Magpies can overcome a two-goal deficit in the second leg at the Etihad. The Aston Villa who beat United in their last home game and whose progress this season has widely been cited as proof of the Magpies being in a rut.
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The Villans are the only side to have ever come back to win a League Cup semi-final after being two goals going into the second leg.
Yes, for their big job tomorrow night, Newcastle need to evoke the spirit of Big Ron . . .
Aston Villa vs Tranmere Rovers: February 27, 1994
Jeered by a bumper Prenton Park crowd nine days earlier, Premier League Villa – managed by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United predecessor Ron Atkinson – had slid to a semi-final first leg defeat to second-tier Merseyside outfit Tranmere.
First-half goals from Ian Nolan and Mark Hughes (no, not that one) for Rovers were added to by former Liverpool striker John Aldridge to leave Villa seemingly dead and buried. But Dalian Atkinson late goal salvaged the Premier League team some pride – and ultimately saved them.
In a memorable second leg, Johnny King’s Tranmere were rocked by two goals in 10 first-half minutes – two for Dean Saunders and one for Shaun Teale. But then Aldridge again rolled back the years to put Rovers back level in the tie.
Tranmere were within sight of Wembley when Tony Daley set up Dalian Atkinson for an 88th-minute goal which took the tie into a scoreless extra-time. So, penalties it was.
Aston Villa’s Dalian Atkinson, Tony Daley and Shaun Teale celebrate after beating Tranmere Rovers in 1994
With Villa 3-2 up in the shoot-out, Tranmere’s Ged Brannan failed to reply to Graham Fenton’s spot kick, before two converted penalties meant Ugo Ehiogu could have won it, but missed.
With Aldridge – inevitably – scoring his penalty, and then seeing Kevin Richardson missing Villa’s sixth effort, Liam O’Brien – remember him? – then spurned the chance to win it for Tranmere.
That allowed Tony Daley to fire past Rovers goalkeeper Eric Nixon to pile pressure on Tranmere’s next penalty taker, Nolan. And his left-footed effort was saved by Mark Bosnich to see Villa to Wembley.
Big Ron’s boys went on to surprise Manchester United 3-1 in the final, with a Saunders double and a Dalian Atkinson strike. But, from a Newcastle perspective, it is their semi-final second leg escape which might – just might – be inspirational.
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