Arsenal’s FA Cup fightback stuns Villa

Arsenal staged a remarkable recovery from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 and keep their FA Cup hopes alive with a dramatic fourth round win at the Emirates Stadium yesterday. The Gunners, without a major trophy since winning the FA Cup seven years ago, were booed off by their own fans at half-time after a Richard Dunne header and Darren Bent strike had put Premier League rivals Villa 2-0 in front. But three goals in seven second half minutes courtesy of two Robin van Persie penalties separated by a Theo Walcott effort, after an Alan Hutton clearance rebounded in off the England international, turned the match on its head. Arsenal, still in the Champions League but 18 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, will now play either Sunderland or second-tier Middlesbrough in the last 16 after they drew 1-1 earlier yesterday. Middlesbrough were on course for an upset win at north-east rivals Sunderland’s Stadium of Light when Barry Robson gave them a 16th minute lead with a spectacular volley. But the hosts levelled just shy of the hour mark when Fraizer Campbell struck a first time shot from a cross by James McClean after Robson’s poor attempted back pass gifted Sunderland possession. Meanwhile, the leading clubs left in this season’s FA Cup were kept apart from one another in the fifth-round draw made here yesterday. Liverpool’s reward for knocking bitter rivals Manchester United out of the FA Cup on Saturday was a home last 16 clash against Championship (second-tier) side Brighton, a team they beat 2-1 earlier this season en route to the League Cup final. Premier League high-flyers Tottenham Hotspur, eight-time FA Cup winners, travel to Stevenage Borough of third-tier League One. Fourth-division Crawley Town, the lowest ranked club left in the tournament, are at home to Stoke City, last season’s losing finalists, following a 1-0 win away to Championship side Hull City. Only one all-Premier League clash is possible in the last 16, although Sunderland must first overcome Championship north-east rivals Middlesbrough, who held them to a 1-1 derby draw if they are to face Arsenal after the Gunners came from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2, also on Sunday. Chelsea, who beat local rivals QPR 1-0 on Saturday, will be at home to Championship side Birmingham City, with Everton facing the winners of the replay between Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday. Norwich City, promoted to the Premier League this season, face Championship side Leicester City, while top-flight strugglers Bolton Wanderers travel to the winners of the all-second tier replay between Millwall and promotion-chasing Southampton. The fifth-round ties will be played on the weekend of February 18-19. 5th round draw Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion Everton v Blackpool or Sheffield Wednesday Chelsea v Birmingham City Crawley Town v Stoke City Stevenage Borough v Tottenham Hotspur Norwich City v Leicester City Sunderland or Middlesbrough v Arsenal Millwall or Southampton v Bolton Wanderers