Soccer-Villa have demonstrated growth in mentality, says boss Emery

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Middlesbrough v Aston Villa - Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, Britain - January 6, 2024 Aston Villa's Matty Cash celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Molly Darlington

(Reuters) - Aston Villa booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2016 with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday, and manager Unai Emery said his high-flying Premier League club have developed a big-game mentality.

Despite an impressive league form this season, Villa were not expected to have an easy game against the Championship side, given their recent record in the FA Cup, where they have lost each of their last eight matches.