Despite the controversies, Newcastle won the fourth round tie 3-1, but not before Tammy Abraham opened the scoring for Villa after appearing to handle the ball. The visitors were also incensed by a challenge from Lucas Digne on Jacob Ramsey which they insist warranted a red card.
Shearer said at halftime: "I think for five or six months they've been relying on VAR, and they're coming into this situation now. Similar thing with the Lucas Digne tackle, I think that's a red card as well.
"And if that goes to VAR but in their defence, which is hard for me at the moment, but in their defence they've had VAR for five or six months and now coming into a huge game without it so it's very different for them."
He added: "I think it's a red card. He's endangering his opponent, there's no doubt about that. He's high, he's late and it's a very, very dangerous tackle. I think he's lucky to get away with it.
"He's about what four yards from the assistant referee on that right-hand side and the referee deems it a yellow card but it's very high and I think he's lucky."