Stevenage conjure an upset for the ages
Incredible late comeback sees League Two side stun Emery
UNAI EMERY was brought to Aston Villa with a reputation as a cup specialist but he has now overseen one of the worst results in the club’s history less than two months into his reign.
League Two high-fliers Stevenage, trailing late on to Morgan Sanson’s first- half strike, produced an upset for the ages thanks to goals from two substitutes, a penalty from Jamie Reid in the 88th minute and the winner from Dean Campbell two minutes later.
Stevenage made a mockery of the 59 places that separate them and Villa in the league system.
This was 12 years to the day that Stevenage had shocked Newcastle at the same stage of the competition and another moment for their supporters to cherish. They travel to Stoke in round four.
Boss Steve Evans and his players celebrated at length with their fans as they revelled in a result they fully deserved. They were well-organised off the ball and had a clear plan with it.
‘If my grandson Joseph is still awake when I get home, then he’ll want a pillow fight — he’ll be smashing my face,’ smiled Evans. ‘It was magical, one of the best results of my career. Pure FA Cup. I have had wins over Championship clubs as a non- League manager but never away from home against a Premier League club the size of Aston Villa.
‘The players have hearts the size of Big Ben. Winning in the FA Cup is what dreams are made of. It’s something for the players to tell their kids and, in the future, their grandchildren.’
This was as bad as it gets from Villa, who produced a spineless, complacent performance that will have made up Emery’s mind about a number of his squad players.
They were so slack in both boxes — missing chances and marking poorly — and it was no wonder they were booed off at full time.
Emery has won the Europa League four times but he has now lost both cup games as Villa boss after defeat at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup late last year.
Villa’s dire attitude was summed up by the incident that led to the equaliser. Leander Dendoncker — one of eight changes — collected a short pass from Robin Olsen, who was deputising for Emiliano Martinez, and dawdled, allowing Campbell to rob him. The red card was inevitable when Dendoncker dragged Campbell back. Reid sent Olsen the wrong way from the spot.
Worse was to come when Villa left Campbell alone at a corner, allowing the on-loan Aberdeen midfielder to breeze into the area and beat Olsen at his near post.
Emery was brought in to instil a winning mentality but despite a strong start in the league, which has produced 10 points from five games, this result will be a worry.
‘We have to impose my mentality and idea, and be very demanding,’ said Emery. ‘ When a coach first comes to a club, the reaction is excitement and people giving all they can, but being consistent is difficult, keeping the same mentality. I’m not magical. I can’t come here and change everything.’
Stevenage are second in League Two and look set for promotion. They came into this game full of
confidence. The home side had a huge let- off when Luke Norris escaped down the left and crossed for Danny Rose to steer beyond Olsen — only to be denied by an extremely tight offside call.
Leon Bailey was left in tears after his incredible stoppage-time miss against Wolves last week and he was no luckier here, miskicking from close range, then losing his balance in a dangerous crossing position.
By then, however, Villa were 1-0 up as Sanson finished a slick move for his first goal for the club, nearly two years after arriving from Marseille.
Stevenage then came desperately close to an equaliser when Norris cut inside from the left and hit a curling effort from 25 yards that clipped the top of the bar.
Just when the game appeared to be meandering towards a Villa win, Dendoncker was robbed by Campbell as he took a short pass from Olsen.
As Campbell advanced on goal, the Belgian midfielder pulled him back and was shown a straight red card. Referee Graham Scott pointed to the spot before a long VAR delay, which nevertheless upheld the decision, deciding the foul had taken place inside the box. Reid despatched the penalty confidently, sending Olsen the wrong way before celebrating provocatively in front of the Villa fans.
Stevenage then wanted a second penalty when another sub, David Amoo, saw his cross hit Douglas Luiz on the elbow. Their frustration lasted barely a minute, though, as a short corner found Campbell in space and his strike from the angle flew past Olsen at the near post.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Olsen 4.5; Cash 6 (A Young 72, 6), Bednarek 5, Chambers 5, Augustinsson 6 (Digne 81); Sanson 6.5 (Ramsey 67, 6), Dendoncker 4, Luiz 5, Coutinho 6 (Buendia 67, 5); Bailey 5.5, Ings 6 (Watkins 71, 5.5). Scorer: Sanson 33. Booked: None. Sent off: Dendoncker.
Manager: Unai Emery 4.5.
STEVENAGE (5-3-2): Ashby-Hammond 7; JamesWildin 7.5, Sweeney 7.5, Vancooten 7 (Bostwick 84), Piergianni 7.5, Clark 6.5 (Reid 63, 7.5); Taylor 6.5 (Smith 67, 6), Reeves 7, Roberts 7; Rose 7 ( CAMPBELL 63, 8.5), Norris 7 (Amoo 68, 6). Scorers: Reid 88 (pen), Campbell 90.
Booked: None. Manager: Steve Evans 8. Referee: Graham Scott 7. Attendance: 32,343.