Aston Villa made a memorable statement on their 150th anniversary by overturning a first-half deficit to secure a 2-1 victory against West Ham in the third round of the FA Cup.
The match kicked off with Graham Potter at the helm for West Ham, who had just replaced Julen Lopetegui as manager. Potter's debut seemed promising as Lucas Paqueta struck early, giving West Ham a 1-0 lead at halftime.
However, Villa's determination shone through in the second half. After a sluggish first hour where Aston Villa failed to register a single shot on target, the home side ignited their comeback with two swift goals within five minutes.
The equalizer came in the 71st minute from Andre Onana, stemming a contentious corner. The momentum shifted entirely when Morgan Rogers found the net, assisted by Ollie Watkins in what many considered the best play of the match.
The game remained intense as Jacob Ramsey nearly doubled West Ham's woes by striking the post in the final stages, underscoring Villa's dominance in the latter part of the game.
Despite the loss, Graham Potter can take reassurance from his first outing, especially as West Ham dealt with hamstring injuries to Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville, which limited their options on the field.
This victory not only celebrates Villa's rich history but also sets a positive tone for Potter's tenure as he looks to build and inspire his new squad.
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Aston Villa stun West Ham 2-1 after second-half comeback in FA Cup
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