At A Glance
Aston Villa and Stevenage meet for the first time when the two sides battle it out in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
The hosts will be looking to end a seven-game losing run in the competition and reach the fourth round for the first time since 2016.
Villa, who are seven-time winners of the FA Cup, last lifted the trophy back in 1957, and head coach Unai Emery will be hoping to oversee a cup run.
Stevenage arrive at Villa Park in good spirits after putting together an eight-game unbeaten run in League Two, taking them to second place.
Boro have beaten Gateshead and King’s Lynn Town, both away from home, to reach the third round.
Stevenage’s best performance in the FA Cup was a fifth round appearance in 2012.
Cup Credentials
Aston Villa have won the FA Cup on seven occasions, the last of which was in 1957.
Recent years have not been so kind to the club and Villa has exited the competition in the third round in each of the past six seasons.
A 2-0 win against Wycombe Wanderers in a third round replay in 2016 is the club’s last victory in the FA Cup.
Opponents Stevenage recorded their best run in the tournament in 2012, reaching the fifth round before losing to Tottenham Hotpsur in a replay.
The Hertfordshire side pulled off a massive giant killing in 2011, knocking out Premier League Newcastle United 3-1.
The Opposition
Stevenage have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround this season after a torrid 2021/22 campaign.
Manager Steve Evans steered the club to 21st in League Two after taking over late last season, and he’s since turned them into automatic promotion contenders.
Boro have lost only three times in the league this term and currently sit second in the table on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run.
Their FA Cup exploits have seen them beat National League side Gateshead in round one before King’s Lynn Town were dispatched in round two.
Luke Norris leads the club’s scoring charts with nine goals this season, while Jake Reeves has registered the most assists (5).
Team News
Unai Emery may call upon Jacob Ramsey to play a part on Sunday as the midfielder steps up his comeback from injury.
Captain John McGinn missed out against Wolves through injury, while Diego Carlos is continuing his rehabilitation.
Stevenage’s new signings Daryl Horgan and Jake Forster-Caskey are cup-tied having already featured in the FA Cup for Wycombe Wanderers and Charlton Athletic respectively.
The Boss
“I like the cup competitions in Spain, in France and here in England. The FA Cup is a very good opportunity to try and do something in this way. On Sunday we are going to prepare for the match thinking the objective is to win the FA Cup, not now (on Sunday), but if we can progress then maybe.”
Unai Emery
Aston Villa v Stevenage
