Aston Villa manager Unai Emery hailed his side’s mentality as they beat Middlesbrough 1-0 in their third-round FA Cup clash at the Riverside.
The Premier League high-flyers reached the fourth round thanks to Matty Cash’s deflected winner in the 87th minute.
Villa had chances in the first half from Jhon Duran and Leander Dendoncker before threatening in the first 15 minutes of the second half as John McGinn, Ezri Konsa and Alex Moreno all came close from a succession of corners.
Cash eventually sent them through to the next round from a short corner in the final stages and Emery praised the maturity in his team to push for the winner.
“We played big passions, being mature, I think we are growing up our mentality in matches like that,” Emery said.
“At the beginning we were favourite to win, but difficult to face each match.
“They prepared and tactically they played a very good match and even when they were keeping more possession on the transition they threatened us.
“We were always in control of the game and even the 15 minute, 20 minutes in the second half they were in that moment in control of the game better than us, after we had the three chances in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
“We were being passionate and trying to keep in our mind our gameplan and after that moment we reacted again, we pushed in the last minute because we took two or three chances and we scored one of them.”
Villa were dumped out of the FA Cup by Stevenage in the third round last season, and Emery revealed his side had spoken about their history of the competition ahead of the Boro clash.
“We were speaking before the match about the FA Cup, a very historic cup competition, maybe the best cup competition in the world,” Emery added.
“We’re speaking about our players, how much they were successful in this competition – not a lot! Only Emiliano (Martinez) and Calum Chambers won with Arsenal.
“A long time Aston Villa was successful in this competition with seven titles.
“Of course we are here trying to do another step ahead in this club, trying to play facing different competition and trying to be contending to get something.”
Carabao Cup semi-finalists Middlesbrough missed out on another cup run, but still had their opportunities in the game as Alex Bangura created some good chances and Morgan Rogers tested Martinez.
Cash’s late strike came as a cruel blow to Michael Carrick’s side, who had defended well throughout, but the Boro boss was “so proud” of their performance.
He said: “I thought the whole game, to be honest, was good. Really happy with them at half-time.
“They had a little bit more of the game in some ways second half, but I thought in general in the circumstances against the team we were playing against, I thought they were fantastic, the lads, I’m so proud of them.
“Tactically they were spot on in terms of their discipline, concentration, we played some good football at times to play that pressure and we probably had more opportunities to create chances than actually the chances themselves but we definitely looked dangerous enough in the game.
“Disappointed not to get anything from it really.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Man Utd have reached an agreement to sign Byran Mbeumo Who do you think will get there first? Who do you think will get there first? (Part 2) lol Man Utd know what they need this summer Joao Pedro vs Havertz Arne Slot and Alexander Isak spotted at Coldplay concert… Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, Bleac...
Multiple sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Chelsea recently held "new talks" with Eze's camp, after also speaking with the player last summer.Chelsea didn't advance their pursuit of Eze on that occasion, but it now seems the Blues have expressed a clear intent to rival Arsenal for him in this transfer window.Our source told us: "Chelsea recently held new talks with th...
Grealish, 29, looks set for a move away from the Etihad this summer after struggling for minutes last season.Jack Grealish has reportedly agreed to train away from the rest of the Man City teamThe winger has been unable to tie down a place as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola in recent seasons and started just seven Premier League games last term.While Guardiola chose to leave Grealish out of ...
The Reds are open to selling Nunez, but are sticking to their asking price of €70m, sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside.Nunez has struggled to find his best form at Liverpool, but he's not been short of suitors this summer as clubs still view him as someone with the potential to succeed outside of the Premier League.Sources have confirmed to CaughtOffside that the "str...
Man City approach Burnley over goalkeeper TraffordManchester City have reportedly made formal contact with Burnley to discuss the potential return of their former academy graduate James Trafford. The 22-year-old goalkeeper, currently at Turf Moor, is the subject of renewed interest from his boyhood club just two years after being sold.West Ham could offload Alvarez this summerLess than a year befo...
Al Ain FC v Juventus FC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025The veteran keeper, who won Euro 2016 with Portugal, has played for Sporting CP, AS Roma, Wolverhampton, Atalanta, and Al AinAl Ain FC v Juventus FC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025WHAT HAPPENED?After missing out on Keylor Navas, Pumas UNAM are turning their attention to veteran Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who famously helped Po...
FBL-EUR-C4-REAL BETIS-CHELSEANoni Madueke has revealed he wants to "win it all" and help Arsenal "take that next step" to silverware. The Gunners shelled out £52 million (€60m/$69.9m) for the winger, who has signed a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium. The transfer was finalised on Friday, sending a clear message about the Gunners' ambitions for the upcoming season.WHAT HAPPENED...
Erling Haaland Manchester City 2025Fans have called for Erling Haaland to move to Serie A after he professed his love for Italy in a post on social media while on a summer break in Rome.WHAT HAPPENED?In a post uploaded to Instagram, Haaland confessed he loves Italy and praised the beauty of Rome, where he has recently spent time on holiday with girlfriend Isabel Johansen. The Norwegian pair were s...
Chelsea FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier LeagueChelsea have unveiled their latest group of first-year scholars for the 2025-26 campaign and among the standout names are Reggie Walsh and Isago Silva, the son of veteran defender Thiago Silva. In total, 16 academy players have committed to the next stage of their football development at the west London outfit, reaffirming the club’s ongoing commi...
Erik ten Hag Bayer Leverkusen 2025Bayer Leverkusen endured the nightmare start to Erik ten Hag's reign as his first game in charge ended in a shocking 5-1 defeat.WHAT HAPPENED?Leverkusen were put to the sword by Brazilian club Flamengo's youth side in a humiliating start to former United manager Ten Hag's time at the Bundesliga club. The German giants largely fielded a second-string team but stars...
- 1 Brooklyn Beckham's ex inspires Palmer as Chelsea crush PSG
- 2 Spurs get huge lift in Morgan Gibbs-White row
- 3 Model skips Lamine Yamal's party over 'weird demands'
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Jude Bellingham finally undergoes surgery on recurrent dislocated shoulder injury as Real Madrid confirm successful procedure for England star ahead of long layoff
- 6 Noni Madueke parties at Wireless with Jadon Sancho
- 7 Chelsea's wage offer to Jadon Sancho revealed
- 8 Xabi Alonso sends warning to Real Madrid stars after PSG thrashing
- 9 Chelsea star’s stunning model Wag captured 'best UFO footage ever'
- 10 Javier Tebas offers reason behind Barcelona's failed Nico Williams pursuit