Aston Villa stunned at home by minnows Stevenage as Coutinho ruthlessly trolled

08 January 2023 , 18:26

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Villa were beaten at home by League Two Stevenage (Image: PA)

Premier League side Aston Villa were shocked by League Two's Stevenage in the FA Cup on Sunday, with the fourth tier side scoring twice in the dying minutes to win 2-1.

And the defeat was even more painful for Philippe Coutinho, who found himself on the end of a ruthless troll from the Stevenage Twitter account after he was substituted midway through the second half.

Villa took the lead after 33 minutes when Morgan Sanson finished off a neat move from 16 yards.

But Jamie Reid levelled for Stevenage from the spot after Leander Dendoncker had been sent off for fouling Dean Campbell, who then made it 2-1 in the last minute when he drove in from a short corner.

Stevenage will now take on Championship side Stoke City in the fourth round, which will be played between January 27 and 30.

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Steve Evans' side - who currently sit second in League Two - celebrated with their fans at full-time after pulling off perhaps the biggest shock of the FA Cup fourth round.

Coutinho and his teammates struggled to break down their opponents throughout the match, and when the Brazilian - who cost £142m when he was told by Liverpool to Barcelona five years ago - was taken off in the 66th minute whoever was operating the Stevenage Twitter account sensed an opportunity.

Stevenage celebrate their stunning win (PA)

According to them "The substitution took longer than usual as they had to dig him out of Luther James-Wildin's back pocket."

The right wing-back did indeed impress at Villa Park, where Stevenage had just 21 per cent of possession on their way to victory.

Villa - who lost both Matty Cash and Ludwig Augustinsson to injury in the match - were booed off by home supporters in what was a nightmare defeat for manager Unai Emery.

Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, former Villa forward Dion Dublin said: "This is the stuff of the wildest dreams for Stevenage fans. They would have thought, come to Villa, this would be their final.

"They have defended so well. They fully deserve to go through."

Mark Jones