Aston Villa scored twice in five second-half minutes to overturn a deficit and defeat West Ham 2-1, advancing to the fourth round of the FA Cup and denying Graham Potter a winning debut as Hammers manager.
Lucas Paquetá gave West Ham an ideal start, side-footing Crysencio Summerville’s cross past Robin Olsen in the 9th minute. The goal capped Potter’s return to the dugout, just days after his appointment. However, the early optimism faded when Niclas Füllkrug limped off with a hamstring injury, followed soon after by Villa’s Ross Barkley, disrupting the flow of the match.
Villa struggled to create chances in the first half, managing just one shot by halftime. However, the tide shifted in the second half. After a brilliant save from Lukasz Fabianski kept Ian Maatsen’s strike out, Villa equalized in the 71st minute through Amadou Onana, who bundled the ball home following a controversial corner.
Minutes later, Ollie Watkins set up Morgan Rogers, who fired in the winner from close range. Jacob Ramsey nearly added a third, hitting the post, but Villa’s turnaround was complete as West Ham failed to mount a response. Villa advanced to the last 32, marking just their second time doing so in nine seasons.
