Aston Villa: Three parting thoughts from FA Cup defeat to Peterborough

Aston Villa crashed out in the FA Cup third-round on Saturday – the third instance in the last five years. Three parting thoughts after losing to a lower-league Peterborough United at Villa Park.

Peterborough United dominated a reserve Aston Villa side, one blended between fringe veterans and similar fringe youngsters, for the better part of 75 minutes. Keinan Davis’ opening goal inside ten minutes was not enough to spark a victory, as Villa crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup by a 3-1 scoreline.

Jed Steer, deputizing for Sam Johnstone on the afternoon, made nine saves. Nine saves against a club 27 places below Villa in the Football League. Oh, and that included the return of John Terry in central defense.

1. Tommy Elphick did not start…because?

John Terry was always going to start at center back. That was the plan going in – giving the Chelsea legend a good 45 minutes ahead of next weekend’s league clash with Nottingham Forest. Well, he ended up playing the whole match. Partnering him in central defense? 20-year old right back James Bree.

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So, unless there is an injury along the Villa backline, Tommy Elphick will not start the rest of the season. Moreover, Tommy Elphick is in tremendous form, starring in Villa’s consecutive victories over Middlesbrough and Bristol City.

Therefore, it would make sense that Elphick starts again, considering it could have been his last for quite awhile. It is no secret Steve Bruce would move Elphick for the right price. Another game, this time in FA Cup competition, aids in raising his profile ahead of a possible transfer.

Instead James Bree played at center back and Ritchie De Laet took over right fullback duties. How ironic Aston Villa ended up losing on a set piece corner in the 83rd-minute. 24 hours later and it’s still baffling to me as to why Tommy Elphick did not start.

2. That Jack Marriott fellow is really good

It wasn’t the first time Jack Marriott eliminated The Villa in cup competition! The attacking midfielder played a full ninety for Luton Town when the Hatters eliminated the claret and blue in League Cup play, circa August 2016.

Granted the match was only on radio, but Marriott was in and around action constantly. The 23-year old scored the equalizer and added Peterborough’s third in extra time. He is the real deal, as Posh manager even admitted after the match to BBC:

"“In my personal opinion I think that the lad (Jack Marriott) is way above League One. He could easily play in the Championship, maybe higher, and score goals because of his pace and all round game. I hope we keep him. I don’t think the chairman or Barry (Fry, director of football) are trying to sell him. But in football everyone has a price. We have to cut our cloth accordingly.”"

His 17 league goals (3 assists) lead League One with Pompey’s Brett Pitman and Rotherham’s Kieffer Moore next closest at 13 goals apiece.

3. The loss ultimately doesn’t matter, no matter how disappointing.

Aston Villa Football Club were not winning the Emirates FA Cup.

I hate to break it to you, but it is the truth. Nonetheless, losing in the third-round, at home, to a lower league side is just not acceptable. For players like Callum O’Hare, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, and Jed Steer, it’s doubly disappointing. Save for injury or a small handful of cameo appearances, their match time is limited moving forward.

Even going one more round is great for club morale and offers another chance for the Villa youth. A fourth-round tie could have been an opportunity to play a Premier League side – something Villa have not done since January 2017 in FA Cup defeat (also third-round) to Spurs.

Still, at least all distractions are now eliminated. League play, and promotion, remain in full view. Aston Villa travel to Forest next Saturday, who have been woeful of late. Another opportunity to collect a vital three points.