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Potter flounders as Emery guides Villa through

West Ham United manager Graham Potter’s hopes of guiding his new team to FA Cup success this season were ended by Aston Villa on Friday evening.

The Hammers failed to capitalise on Villa’s lacklustre performance in the first half and were duly punished as the home side came from behind to progress to the fourth round with a 2-1 win.

Potter was keen to accentuate the positives after the game, but his comments masked the fact that he was comprehensively out-coached by Unai Emery.

The Villa manager’s proactive substitutions changed the course of the game, and Potter failed to respond as his team retreated into their shell.

West Ham fanboys were quick to trot out platitudes such as ‘forget the result’ after the game, conveniently ignoring that their season is over.

Results are undoubtedly all that matter in cup football. Emery ensured his team got the job done while Potter floundered.

Former Hammers manager Julen Lopetegui probably afforded himself a smile at the result after the way the club and his replacement acted before he was sacked.

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