Hammers and Villa avoid upsets

[sake]

A review of Sunday's action in the FA Cup fourth round, as West Ham and Aston Villa book spots in the last 16.


Substitute Diafra Sakho headed West Ham into the fifth round of the FA Cup, breaking the hearts of Bristol City with an 81st-minute winner.

It was the striker's first appearance since suffering a back injury against West Brom on New Year's Day and he marked it by rising at the far post to beat Frank Fielding from close range after Andy Carroll had done well to get in a cross from the right.

The outcome was harsh on the Sky Bet League 1 promotion contenders, who were competitive throughout and gave their Barclays Premier League opponents all the trouble they could handle.

City looked the more threatening side for most of a lively first half and it took two goal line clearances to keep the Hammers on level terms.

Mark Noble was on hand to block Matt Smith's fifth-minute header after Aden Flint's power in the air at a corner had set up the chance.

And Carroll did even better to divert another Smith header over his own crossbar in the 26th minute, leaving the big City striker holding his head in disbelief after he had connected with a Jay Emmanuel-Thomas cross.

Carles Gil helped fire Aston Villa into the fifth round as they avoided an upset to beat Bournemouth 2-1.

The midfielder's first goal for the club on his full debut put the hosts ahead against the battling Cherries, who troubled Villa in the first half.

Andi Weimann's second-half strike - his first goal since November - then proved crucial as Villa extended their lead.

Callum Wilson replied deep into stoppage time but the visitors ran out of time to mount a comeback.