'Respect': Unai Emery now answers inevitable questions about Jason Tindall after Christmas bust-up

On Friday morning Jason Tindall faced the media and was asked whether he'd extend a friendly hand to Aston Villa boss Unai Emery as Newcastle United meet the Villans on Saturday.

The two famously had a touchline spat during the Christmas run of fixtures, with Jason Tindall doing his best to wind up the Villa bench as Newcastle cruised to a 3-0 victory.

Mad Dog had to watch the second half from the stands after he was sent off at halftime for a scuffle involving an Aston Villa data analyst and several other staff members.

At full time, Tindall returned to the dugout wearing a Wham! hoodie that had been doctored with his and Eddie Howe's faces, something that really rubbed Unai Emery the wrong way.

Jason Tindall and Unai Emery hold no lingering issues

Tindall confirmed to the media that he has no issues with Emery and will go to shake the Spaniard's hand before kick-off on Saturday.

Inevitably, Emery was asked the same question during his press conference (via The Chronicle), telling reporters pretty much the same thing as Tindall.

“I will focus on the match and of course my best wishes for Eddie, and that he comes back as soon as possible and being healthy.

“I don't have a problem [with Tindall]. I only compete and I try to win and respect, always respect. Sometimes we can compete and maybe more than normal or maybe sometimes extremely competing. But always getting balance and there is no problem.”

We expect Tindall will be much more reserved this time around

It sounds as if it will be all smiles and handshakes come 5:30pm this evening before kick-off, but as for how long that friendly demeanour lasts is anyone's guess.

Although with Tindall being the main man right now, we expect he'll be a lot more reserved as he tends to do his best outhousery from the shadows behind Eddie Howe.

As long as Tindall gets the better of Emery with what goes on on the pitch, that's all we care about.