Football fans across the West Midlands are on tenterhooks as Aston Villa and Birmingham City await their fate in the FA Cup fourth round draw this evening. Both clubs secured their places with victories over the weekend, setting up the potential for a dramatic continuation of their cup campaigns.
Villa's Triumph Over Spurs
Aston Villa booked their spot for a third consecutive season with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Saturday. Unai Emery's side took control with first-half goals from Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers. Despite a second-half strike from Wilson Odobert for Spurs, Villa held on to progress.
Having reached the semi-finals last season, only to be defeated by eventual winners Crystal Palace, Villa will be desperate to go one step further and return to Wembley Stadium. Their motivation will be heightened by Palace's shock exit this season to sixth-tier Macclesfield.
Blues' Nervy Victory at Cambridge
Birmingham City also advanced, but they were made to sweat for their 3-2 victory away at Cambridge United on Sunday. The Blues appeared to be cruising after goals from Kai Wagner, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Marvin Ducksch gave them a 3-0 lead by the 78th minute.
However, two late goals from Sully Kaikai created a tense finale. Chris Davies's team showed resilience to record a rare away win this season and secure a fourth consecutive fourth-round appearance. Their quest now is to progress beyond this stage for the first time since the 2019/20 season, with a cup run offering valuable momentum.
What Happens Next?
The draw for the fourth round takes place tonight, Monday, 12 January 2026. All eyes will be on the ball numbers assigned to Villa and Blues as they learn who stands between them and a place in the last 16. For Birmingham, a deep run could build significant credit for manager Chris Davies, while Villa will aim to use their Premier League quality to mount a serious challenge for the famous old trophy.
We will bring you all the crucial information, including the confirmed ball numbers, the start time, and the live draw itself, right here. Stay tuned to see if the West Midlands clubs can be paired with favourable opponents or a blockbuster tie.
