Star man urges Aston Villa to keep believing after FA Cup exit

Ten man Villa crashed out of the Cup at the fourth round stage as they were beaten 3-1 at home by the Magpies.

Marco Bizot’s dismissal on the stroke of half-time helped the visitors mount a comeback after Abraham had put Unai Emery’s team ahead.

Despite the disappointment, the striker has reminded his team-mates they still have plenty to play for this season.

He said: “We just have to keep believing in ourselves – we’re still in the Europa League and we’re still in a good position in the Premier League.

“So, we have to just get together and keep going.”

Abraham, whose goal was his first for Villa since 2019, expressed pride in the way his team battled after Bizot was sent-off for hacking down Jacob Murphy near the halfway line.

Sandro Tonali’s double and a late goal from Nick Woltemade eventually saw the home team overpowered.

Abraham said: “We always knew it was going to be a difficult game and losing a man is always going to be difficult, but we dug deep.

“Of course, we know they have qualities to create chances and when the first goal went in, heads go down because being a man down, it’s always difficult.

“But, like I said, I’m proud of the boys and we just have to keep going.”