Middlesbrough 0-1 Aston Villa: Matty Cash hits deflected 87th-minute winner

Aston Villa’s Matty Cash hit an 87th-minute winner against Middlesbrough to earn his side a first win in the FA Cup since 2016 at a vibrant Riverside Stadium.

Australian keeper Glover had earlier frustrated the Premier League visitors with a string of saves to keep out young Colombia forward Jhon Duran (twice) and captain John McGinn.

Villa’s frustrations grew when Ezri Konsa’s glancing header bounced back off a post before Poland full-back Cash struck his fourth goal of the season in three different competitions.

Middlesbrough have already enjoyed one impressive cup run this season after reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they face Chelsea over two legs on Tuesday and 23 January.

But they managed just one attempt on target against Unai Emery’s side when Emiliano Martinez kept out Morgan Rogers before half-time.

Villa, second in the Premier League, felt they should have won a penalty when Isaiah Jones clipped Moreno in the second half.

But with no video assistant referee (VAR) in operation at grounds outside the Premier League, play was allowed to carry on.

With a replay at Villa Park looming, Cash found the net following an assist by substitute Douglas Luiz.

Relief as Villa get the job done

There was understandable relief from Emery and his players when referee Robert Jones blew the final whistle, sparking celebrations from Villa’s traveling fans.

They have waited eight years to see their side win a match in the competition, with the previous eight matches all ending in defeat.

Emery’s team were knocked out in front of their own supporters by League Two Stevenage last season, but Villa can look forward to an FA Cup fourth-round tie for the first time since 2016.

Although Ollie Watkins started on the substitutes bench, the Villa boss fielded a strong side.

The tie was still in the balance by the time the England forward was introduced with 20 minutes to go.

Nicolo Zaniolo, another substitute, went close with a curling attempt from distance before Cash added to goals he had scored this season in the Premier League (2) and Europa Conference League.