Aston Villa struck twice in five second-half minutes to stun West Ham and advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win, denying Graham Potter victory in his first game in charge of the Hammers.
Lucas Paqueta struck to give Potter the dream start at Villa Park on his return to the dugout, 20 months after leaving his last job at Chelsea in April 2023 – and having led just one West Ham training session following his appointment on Thursday.
But Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers turned the game in the hosts’ favour, sending them through to the last 32 of the competition for only the second time in nine seasons.
Paqueta tested the waters inside the first 45 seconds with a rocket of a shot that whistled no more than a few inches over, then hit the opener after nine minutes when he arrived late to sidefoot Crysencio Summerville’s pick-out past Robin Olsen.
Image: Lucas Paqueta put West Ham in front after nine minutes
The mood was quickly soured somewhat, though, when Niclas Fullkrug – who missed 10 Premier League games between September and December with an Achilles issue – limped off after pulling up clutching his hamstring as he sprinted forward.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Potter said: “I would imagine it’s quite a severe hamstring injury when you pull up like that, so that’s a concern for us.”
Villa’s Ross Barkley was taken off injured shortly afterwards, too, with the two injuries disrupting the flow of a first half the hosts struggled to make a dent in; by the break, they had not mustered only a single shot.
With over an hour gone, not one of Villa’s shots had hit the target – but then the pendulum started to swing in their direction.
Image: Amadou Onana prodded a controversial equaliser for Aston Villa
Shortly after Lukasz Fabianski smartly kept out a fierce strike from Ian Maatsen, Villa were awarded a corner, despite Onana’s shot appearing to roll straight out of play and, from the set-piece, the Belgium international prodded home from close-range in the 71st minute.
Within five minutes, the hosts struck again with a ruthlessly efficient move that saw Ollie Watkins collect a pass from Emi Buendia and square for Rogers to slam home first time.
Image: Rogers fires Villa in front
Substitute Jacob Ramsey then crashed a shot off the post as Villa looked to quickly put the game to bed, but the miss mattered little as West Ham could find no way back.
Potter: We’re really disappointed at exit – but we have to hang onto positives
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Despite losing his first game in charge of West Ham to Aston Villa in the FA Cup, Graham Potter nonetheless saw plenty of positives to take out of their performance going forward
West Ham manager Graham Potter speaking on ITV:
“The start of the game was really good, really positive. We had good organisation, offered a threat, reduced Villa to not too much. First half was really good.
“Second half, they stepped up and pushed us back a little bit too much. Losing Fullkrug and Summerville influenced our attacking part of the game. It was more pressure rather than big chances.
“We had to adjust without Summerville, that affected our attacking play, and we ended up a bit too deep. With the ball we couldn’t sustain enough attacks to relieve some pressure. But that’s something we’ll look to improve.
“I’m not sure if the first goal was a corner, it didn’t look it. That’s one of those things.
“At 2-1 down, we regrouped a little bit and pushed, and at the end had a few chances.
“The players, for the last two days, have been really good. Preparation was really good into the game and we have to hang onto the positives. It’s the game and it’s the two days. The attitude of the players, the application, understanding and intensity was good.
“Overall, we’re disappointed to go out but there’s a lot of positives from the game. The players gave everything, young Ollie (Scarles) was really good, but we’re really disappointed to go out.”
What’s coming up?
Wycombe sink Pompey to earn a place in fourth round draw
Image: Brandon Hanlan put Wycombe in front against Portsmouth
Wycombe reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the second time in the last five seasons with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Adams Park.
Brilliant play down the left-hand side by Gideon Kodua saw him beat two players and assist Brandon Hanlan for a first-time finish after 17 minutes.
Ten minutes later, Wanderers doubled their lead thanks to on-loan Derby defender Sonny Bradley.
Luke Leahy’s superb free-kick was lofted into the box and there was Bradley – who played for Pompey during the 2013/14 season – head home his first goal for the club, just days after signing on loan from Derby.
