Aston Villa overturned an early deficit to secure a 2-1 victory over West Ham United in the FA Cup third round on Friday, marking a challenging debut for Graham Potter as the Hammers’ new manager. The match began with West Ham taking the lead through Lucas Paquetá in the ninth minute, who capitalized on a square pass from Crysencio Summerville to slot the ball into the net.
However, Villa’s resilience shone through as they gradually influenced the game, equalizing in the 71st minute with Amadou Onana’s controversial goal stemming from a corner that many believed should not have been awarded. Villa’s Ian Maatsen had his shot saved by West Ham’s Lukasz Fabianski, but Onana capitalized on the rebound, sparking protests from West Ham over the corner decision. Potter addressed the situation, stating, “We’re surprised it was a corner. But the referee has given it. There’s nothing we can do now.”
Five minutes later, Morgan Rogers clinched the win for Villa, converting Ollie Watkins’ pass into the corner of the net. Rogers expressed his joy post-match, emphasizing the team’s belief in their ability to come back against any opponent.
Aston Villa’s progression to the fourth round of the FA Cup marks a significant achievement, as they have now reached this stage in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns. Villa manager, Unai Emery, praised his team’s performance and growing strength, highlighting the importance of this victory for their confidence.
In a match that saw its share of injuries, including Niclas Füllkrug for West Ham and Ross Barkley for Villa, the first half was primarily uneventful. Despite their lead at halftime, West Ham couldn’t hold onto it as Villa stepped up their game in the second half.
Danny Ings had a couple of late chances for West Ham but failed to convert, leaving Potter to reflect on a tough start with his new side, stating, “The players have had a big week, a difficult week. We need to recover and refresh.”
In another FA Cup matchup, League One side Wycombe Wanderers advanced with a remarkable 2-0 victory over Championship team Portsmouth, thanks to first-half goals from Brandon Hanlan and Sonny Bradley.
This win for Aston Villa not only showcases their fighting spirit but also sets a hopeful tone for their journey in the FA Cup as they aim for further success in the tournament.