Graham Potter’s first match answerable for West Ham resulted in defeat as Aston Villa got here from behind to progress into the FA Cup fourth spherical with a 2-1 victory.
Lucas Paqueta had given the Hammers the lead, however second-half targets from Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers flipped the sport on its head.
Paqueta nearly received the Potter period off to a lightning-quick begin with a shocking likelihood from vary, nevertheless it swerved simply extensive of the far publish with simply 41 seconds on the clock.
Simply eight minutes later, the Brazilian did get West Ham off the mark, dropping again to fulfill Crysencio Summerville’s squared cross and guiding it into the bottom-right nook.
Villa didn’t handle a single shot on course within the first half however steadily grew into the sport within the second half, getting some luck alongside the best way.
Onana’s skewed shot seemingly flew straight out of play, however the referee awarded a nook. Tyrone Mings flicked it onto Ian Maatsen, whose drilled shot was spilled by Fabianski, and Onana was available to fireside within the rebound from shut vary.
Villa received their noses in entrance simply 5 minutes later, with a blistering counter-attack. Ollie Watkins received the higher of Konstantinos Mavropanos to fizz in a low cross, and Rogers was available to poke it dwelling.
Jacob Ramsey nearly rounded issues off in type after Villa caught out their guests with one other fast counter, however his shot from the sting of the world smashed off the woodwork, and the hosts held on by way of West Ham’s late flurry of probabilities.
Defeat within the third spherical. pic.twitter.com/CHlV3sy98g
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 10, 2025
Information Debrief: Potter left surprised
Potter didn’t get off to the beginning he would have been hoping for with West Ham, regardless of solely being within the job since Thursday. Six of the final seven West Ham managers have misplaced their first sport in cost, with Slaven Bilic the exception in July 2015 (Europa League qualifier).
West Ham have been eradicated from the FA Cup within the third spherical in consecutive seasons for the primary time since doing so in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14.
It was significantly better studying for Unai Emery, although his facet would possibly rely themselves fortunate to come back away with the win having not managed their first shot on course till the 69th minute.
Villa eradicated a Premier League facet from the FA Cup for the primary time for the reason that 2014-15 semi-final towards Liverpool, which was additionally the final time they got here from behind to win a match within the competitors.
