Sandro Tonali ‘got sent back to Milan’ by Emi Buendia during friendly against Aston Villa

Fans have been reacting on social media after Newcastle United new boy Sandro Tonali was left on the deck by Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia.

Earlier in the month, it was confirmed that Tonali has joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a deal worth a reported €70 million.

The 23-year-old was Eddie Howe’s first marquee signing of the summer transfer window as the Magpies prepare for the 23/24 campaign.

After an impressive debut against Rangers last week, Tonali was in action once again as Newcastle took on Villa at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

With just seven minutes on the clock, Villa took the lead through Ollie Watkins after some impressive play by Buendia.

The Argentine outmuscled Tonali and left him on the floor before playing the ball to Watkins to score.

Built from the back. 🎯

Martínez 🤝 Buendía 🤝 Watkins pic.twitter.com/zHgnW7jmai

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 24, 2023

Fans were quick to react on social media.

One said: “Tonali got sent back to Milan there.”

Another tweeted: “5’7 Emi Buendia had Tonali on toast.”

A third fan added: “Welcome to Premier League. Buddy.”

Someone else wrote: “This ain’t Serie A anymore bro.”

Whilst a fifth commented: “Mans learning the premier league the hard way.”

Another fan said: “Blud he’s gonna be cooked in the prem.”

SANDRO TONALI 😳 pic.twitter.com/HQUBa16nHz

— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) July 23, 2023

Since Tonali’s arrival, there have been reports and rumours that he did not want to join Newcastle.

Something Howe denied, he said after the match against Rangers last week: “I’ve got no desire to drag anyone to Newcastle, they have to want to run here with no shoes on – that’s the mentality we want because you have to have that togetherness and desire to do well.

“He’ll show if he’s enjoying himself with his body language and how he plays. It certainly looks like he’s enjoying himself, certainly with the players around him in the first half.”

He added: “I’d be surprised if he didn’t enjoy playing that style of football with the players he was with because it was a really attractive style of football.”

Newcastle will face Chelsea on Thursday at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia as they continue their pre-season tour.