Unai Emery was pleased to put Aston Villa’s FA Cup losing streak to bed with victory against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The club had lost seven consecutive third round ties dating back to 2017, but a strong performance on Teesside earned a 1-0 triumph on Saturday. Emery felt Matty Cash’s late goal and a place in the fourth round was a deserved outcome for the visitors.

“I’m very happy,” he said, adding: “Before the game we were speaking about how we lost in the third round to Stevenage at home; we were very upset but it was a different moment.

“We were remembering with the players that Aston Villa hadn’t got to the next round for seven years. Today was a good opportunity to break it, and we did.

“I’m very happy because we played being mature, being passionate, being responsible and trying to understand the opponent’s tactical idea and transitions.

“We respected the opponent because a lot of Championship players can play in the Premier League. In 90 minutes, we were controlling the game and being mature. We were responsible and trying to impose our gameplan, which we did.”