JASON TINDALL vowed to carry on rattling opposition bosses - as his ‘Wham! hoodie’ feud continues at Aston Villa today.
Tindall, in charge of Newcastle while Eddie Howe recovers from pneumonia, sparked a mass tunnel brawl during Villa’s 3-0 Boxing Day defeat at St. James’ Park.
Emery previously snubbed a handshake from Tindall, who shushed the Spaniard then wore a Wham! top to celebrate victory.
Ahead of today’s clash, Tindall said: “The only thing that crosses your mind during battle is that you want to come out on top.
“I know the hoodie got quite a bit of publicity but you certainly won’t be seeing any at Villa Park.”
Tindall is known to friends and foes as Mad Dog - but it is opposition managers he has a knack of leaving foaming at the mouth.
Newcastle’s No 2 has been involved with public bust-ups with high-profile bosses such as Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta.
With Eddie Howe sidelined by pneumonia, Tindall has stepped in, leading the Magpies to big victories over Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
But, after the ruckus last Christmas, it is Saturday evening’s powderkeg trip to Aston Villa which promises to really test the discipline of the 47-year-old Toon assistant to the limit.
Because it is not just Villa and Newcastle fans who have grown a rivalry over the years.
Both benches rub each other up the wrong way, too.
Fate has now put Tindall in charge of the Geordies for their latest showdown with Villa.
And that is sure to pour petrol on the flames — just four months after bedlam broke between the two benches.
Emery was incensed when Jhon Duran was sent off and protested to the fourth official — then snapped as Tindall fanned the flames by putting his finger to his lips.
A 20-man brawl broke out at half-time, with Tindall in the thick of it as Villa analyst Victor Manas squared up and accused him of disrespect.
Mayhem ensued and Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, landed on his backside, while Tindall and Manas were both red-carded by referee Anthony Taylor.
Both clubs were fined after accepting FA charges - but Tindall, who returned at the end of the game wearing a Wham! hoodie, denied the allegations against him.
Newcastle said they could not provide CCTV images of the mayhem.
Villa were rattled enough to mention it in their statement to the FA, which read: “Mr Tindall on the 85th minute reappeared within the tunnel wearing a Wham! jumper joking around with other members of Newcastle United’s staff.”
Tindall already had previous with Emery, who refused to shake his hand after Newcastle’s last visit to Villa Park, when the Magpies won 3-1.
Asked if he would shake Emery’s hand this time, Tindall replied: “I’ll certainly hold my hand out and if the manager wants to shake it, I’m sure he will.
“There was a lot of talk before the game about the hoodie.
“It was pre-arranged — a fan asked me before the game to wear it, and I said I would if we won.
“If people that don’t know me want to talk, then that’s fine.”
Asked about Tindall on Friday, Emery replied: “I don’t have a problem. Sometimes we can be extremely competitive. But if we get the balance right, there is no problem. I will focus on the match and, of course, send my best wishes to Eddie.
“I hope he comes back soon and is healthy.”
The bitterness in the stands goes back to May 2009 when Villa fans unfurled banners taunting ‘Sob on the Tyne’ and ‘Who’s your next Messiah, Ant or Dec?’ to celebrate a win that sent their opponents Toon down to the Championship.
Now Newcastle have some bragging rights after landing their first major domestic trophy for 70 years following last month’s Carabao Cup triumph.
They look down on Villa from third place on the back of five Premier wins on the spin.
And the Toon have won five of their last six meetings.
Spaniard Emery added: “They are in their best moment. They are feeling confident and strong.
“There are still 18 points to play for and they have five more than us — this means a lot!”