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2024/25 FA Cup
Third round
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Villa Park
Birmingham, England
Friday, 10 January 2025
Kick-off is at 20h00
The
FA Cup third round pits two teams in claret against one another as Aston Villa host West Ham in an all-Premier League tie at Villa Park on Friday, January 10.
The Villans have rich history in the famous competition, winning the trophy seven times to be tied with Manchester City - only five teams have a better record than them.
However, the West Midlands giants last tasted success back in 1957, although they reached the final as recently as 2015 when they lost 4-0 to record 14-time winners Arsenal.
Unai Emery's side only made it far as the fourth round last season, having been beaten 3-1 by Chelsea in a replay after the initial encounter ended in a goalless draw.
Villa kicked off the new year with a 2-1 victory over Leicester on January 4 to arrest a two-game winless run in the Premier League.
West Ham have three titles to their name, the most recent coming in 1980 while they last contested the final in 2006 which saw them lose on penalties to Liverpool following a 3-3 draw after extra time.
The Hammers fell at the first hurdle in 2023-24 after going down 1-0 to Bristol City in a replay, with their first match finishing 1-1.
Julen Lopetegui's side will be hoping for a cup tonic after suffering back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Manchester in the league, conceding nine goals in the process.
Villa are unbeaten in their last seven home matches across all competitions and Emery paid tribute to the supporters foe helping to turn Villa Park into a fortress.
"In Villa Park, we are trying to feel strong and comfortable with our supporters and trying to play with energy. We have to transmit that to our supporters and be positive," the Spaniard said.
"We are feeling strong here and our players are comfortable with our supporters here in Villa Park. The fortress is something we have to feel here and I think we are doing it. The supporters are helping us a lot."
Lopetegui admits they need to show more consistency in both defence and attack, but felt hard done by against City after having almost having twice as many attempts at goal (17 to 10), but losing by a three-goal margin.
"We had double the number of shots that Manchester City had, and that's why it's not easy to explain the score," the Spaniard said.
"We have to keep the positive things, knowing that the little details we have to improve. We have to improve to be more consistent in both boxes and in the moment when you don't take advantage and score yourself, you have to avoid above all conceding the second and third goals."
Head-to-Head (Previous FA Cup Meetings)
Matches - 3
Aston Villa wins - 2
West Ham wins - 1
Draws - 0
FA Cup third-round fixtures:
Thursday, January 9
19h00: Sheffield United v Cardiff City
19h45: Everton v Peterborough United
19h45: Fulham v Watford
Friday, January 10
19h45: Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth
20h00: Aston Villa v West Ham United
Saturday, January 11
12h00: Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
12h00: Birmingham City v Lincoln City
12h00: Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers
12h15: Liverpool v Accrington Stanley
14h00: Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers
15h00: Reading v Burnley
15h00: Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion
15h00: Preston North End v Charlton Athletic
15h00: Chelsea v Morecambe
15h00: Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion
15h00: Sunderland v Stoke City
15h00: Exeter City v Oxford United
15h00: Brentford v Plymouth Argyle
15h00: Nottingham Forest v Luton Town
17h45: Manchester City v Salford City
17h45: Leeds United v Harrogate Town
18h00: Leyton Orient v Derby County
18h00: Mansfield Town v Wigan Athletic
18h00: Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday
Sunday, January 12
12h00: Hull City v Doncaster Rovers
12h30: Tamworth v Tottenham Hotspur
15h00: Arsenal v Manchester United
15h00: Newcastle United v Bromley
15h00: Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
15h00: Crystal Palace v Stockport County
16h30: Southampton v Swansea City
Monday, January 13
19h30: Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge
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