“I am really proud, we came up against up Villa, one of the best teams around, their position on the PL table is a testament to that”- Michael Carrick says Aston Villa are one of the best teams around after Middlesbrough FA Cup defeat
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick says Aston Villa are “one of the best teams around” after they knocked his team out of the FA Cup.
A late deflected goal from Matty Cash earned Villa’s passage to round four on Teesside. Speaking after the match, Carrick explained how proud he was of his team for their performance against Unai Emery’s men.
He was also sure to heap praise on Villa, putting them among the best teams in football right now. The former Birmingham City loanee “felt for” his players after the match because of the impressive performance they put in.
“Hugely proud,” Carrick told BBC Sport. “The disappointment the lads are feeling shows how well we performed in the game. It was not easy against such a good team. We had good moments, when we had the chance to play we had some good connections and looked dangerous at times.
“I feel for the boys, they put a lot of effort in but it will give us a lot of confidence going into next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final.
“We take so much from this. Hopefully the boys will take a lot from the feeling. Villa are one of the best teams around at the moment, their position on the Premier League table is a testament to that and I thought the boys held their own.
“I thought the way we adapted, the way we stuck with it, there were loads of good signs and I am really proud.”
