Aston Villa secured a spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in eight years with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday, thanks to a last-gasp goal from Matty Cash.
Cash’s fourth goal of the season came in the 87th minute, as he unleashed a hard shot from just outside the 18-yard box that deflected in off Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath, breaking the deadlock and sealing the win for Villa.
This victory marks Aston Villa’s first time reaching the fourth round since 2016, when they beat fourth-tier Wycombe 2-0. Managed by Unai Emery, Villa’s busy December schedule included eight games as they continue to vie for the Premier League title, currently sitting in second place, three points behind leaders Liverpool.
Throughout the match at Riverside Stadium, Villa had multiple opportunities, including an early second-half near miss from Jhon Duran, whose header off a corner kick glancing off the far post. Nicolo Zaniolo also sent a long-range shot just wide of the net before Cash’s decisive goal.
Middlesbrough, a Championship (second tier) side, were FA Cup runners-up in the 1996-97 season.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
