Graham Potter's first game in charge of West Ham ended in defeat as Aston Villa came from behind to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win.
Lucas Paqueta had given the Hammers the lead, but second-half goals from Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers turned the game on its head.
Paqueta almost got the Potter era off to a lightning start with a stunning chance from distance, but he swerved just wide of the far post with just 41 seconds on the clock.
Just eight minutes later, the Brazilian did get West Ham clear, dropping back to meet Crysencio Summerville's square cross and directing it into the bottom right corner.
Villa failed to get a single shot on target in the first half, but steadily grew into the match in the second half and got some luck along the way.
Onana's crooked shot seemed to fly straight out of the game, but the referee awarded a corner. Tyrone Mings put the ball to Ian Maatsen, whose drilled shot was spilled by Fabianski, and Onana was on hand to fire in the rebound from close range.
Just five minutes later, Villa took the lead with a blistering counter-attack. Ollie Watkins got the better of Konstantinos Mavropanos in a low cross, and Rogers was on hand to poke the ball home.
Jacob Ramsey almost wrapped it up in style after Villa caught the visitors with another quick counter, but his shot from the edge of the area hit the woodwork and the hosts held firm despite West Ham's late flurry of chances.
Defeat in the third round. pic.twitter.com/CHlV3sy98g
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 10, 2025
Debriefing the data: Potter was left stunned
Potter did not get the start he had hoped for at West Ham, despite only having been in post since Thursday. Six of the last seven West Ham managers have lost their first game in charge, with the exception of Slaven Bilic in July 2015 (Europa League qualifier).
West Ham were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round of consecutive seasons for the first time since 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14.
It was much better for Unai Emery, although his side were fortunate to have won after only getting their first shot on target in the 69th minute.
Villa eliminated a Premier League side from the FA Cup for the first time since the 2014/15 semi-final against Liverpool, which was also the last time they came from behind to win a match in the competition.
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