FA Cup: Aston Villa knocked out by League Two Stevenage in huge third-round shock

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Aston Villa have been knocked out of the FA Cup by fourth-tier Stevenage following an extraordinary finale at Villa Park on Sunday

Leon Bailey of Aston Villa reacts after missing a chance against Stevenage in the FA Cup.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Aston Villa have suffered the biggest upset of the FA Cup third round by losing at home to fourth-tier Stevenage following an extraordinary finale at Villa Park on Sunday.

Unai Emery's side took the lead through Morgan Sanson after 33 minutes and looked to be heading for a narrow win as time ticked away at Villa Park.

But everything changed in the final five minutes plus stoppage time as Leander Dendoncker was sent off and League Two Stevenage hit back with two goals to produce a huge shock.

Dendoncker gave away a penalty and was shown the red card for pulling Dean Campbell back in the area. And even though contact started outside the box, it was adjudged to have continued inside.

Following a lengthy delay, Jamie Reid kept his cool to score the penalty and Campbell fired in a low shot at the near post after a short corner to turn the game on its head in dramatic style in added time.

Stevenage are currently second in League Two, England's fourth tier, 59 places below Villa in the nation's standings.

Ben Hayward
Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.