- FA Cup updates from the 8pm GMT kick-off at Villa Park
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These clubs have only met in the FA Cup on three previous occasions, and anyone who believes in omens will be excited that they’re meeting for a fourth. The first-ever showdown in 1913 saw Villa win 5-0 in the second round, thanks to goals from Harold Halse (2), Clem Stephenson, Harry Hampton and William Morris; they went on to lift the trophy. The third time they met, West Ham legend Ray Stewart scored the only goal in the 1980 quarter-finals, and the Hammers ended up raising the cup at Wembley. The one in the middle, a 3-0 victory for Villa courtesy of goals from John Deehan (2) and Dennis Mortimer, didn’t lead to any glory whatsoever, so in that sense muddies the waters. But two out of three ain’t bad. Today’s winner is therefore permitted to dream, and dream big. (Superstitious Villa fans can also, in the event their team loses 1-0 like they did in 1980, assume they’re going to win the league next year and the European Cup in 2027.)
Graham Potter is celebrating his 24-hour anniversary as West Ham United boss, and here’s the new boss talking to ITV. “West Ham are a fantastic football club … great history, tradition … ambition … a family feel … a well-functioning academy … an ambitious board … it felt really right … I feel like I’ve come back stronger … a better person and coach … I’m really excited … we had a training session yesterday … met everybody … tried to get my bearings … prepared the team … a day in the hotel today as well … the response has been brilliant … the players have taken on little messages … we understand what we’re trying to do so onto the game.”