Stirring Aston Villa comeback condemns Graham Potter to defeat in first West Ham game
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On his return to the technical area for the first time since last April, here was a crash course in the weird and wonderful world of West Ham United for Graham Potter. After taking just one training session, Potter experienced the new-manager bounce and then a late collapse in the space of 96 mad minutes to underline why he will require patience repairing the damage of Julen Lopetegui’s tenure.
Aston Villa’s 150th anniversary match was an unpredictable roller coaster and, in their vintage black kit, they produced a spirited late response to ruin Potter’s return. Villa were in party mood but their celebrations were threatening to fall flat until Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers finally broke the resistance of their visitors with two goals in five minutes.
For around an hour, West Ham were impressive and delivered a disciplined, well-organised performance which was far removed from the mess under Lopetegui. If Potter can deliver his messages so quickly, after succeeding the dismissed Spaniard on Thursday, there is much encouragement for the months ahead. Yet the old frailties did surface as time began to tick away and Villa capitalised to move into the FA Cup fourth round for only the second time in nine years.
Potter admitted he was satisfied enough, though his return was tarnished by a hamstring injury for Niclas Füllkrug and controversy after Villa were awarded a contentious corner which led to Onana’s equaliser. “The emotion tonight was one of excitement, we’ve had 6,500 supporters here and the performance gave me encouragement,” he said. “The players did what we asked them to do and you can’t replicate that feeling in the stomach of conceding a goal.
