Aston Villa's wretched season continued on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by fourth-tier minnows Wycombe Wanderers in the third round of the FA Cup.

Eleven points adrift of safety at the foot of the Premier League table, Villa took a 22nd-minute lead at Adams Park when visiting skipper Micah Richards steered home a square pass from Carles Gil.

But Wycombe, 54 places below Villa in the English league system, equalised five minutes into the second half via a Joe Jacobsen penalty after Ashley Westwood had been penalised for an aerial challenge on Matt Bloomfield.

"We've managed to get a replay. It's amazing for the club -- the finances are going to help us incredibly," Jacobsen told BT Sport.

"I can't wait. When you get into the third round of the cup, you want a Premier League team. Unfortunately we got them at home, but to go to their place now is going to be great for everyone involved."

The outcome is a money-spinning replay for Wycombe, sixth in League Two, which is an encumbrance that Villa manager Remi Garde -- whose side are without a win in 16 games -- could do without.

Holders and Premier League leaders Arsenal began their quest for a third successive FA Cup -- a feat last achieved by Blackburn Rovers between 1884 and 1886 -- when they host Sunderland later on Saturday.

Manchester City visit Norwich City in one of the round's four other all-top-flight ties, while Southampton host Crystal Palace and Newcastle United go to Watford. Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City meet on Sunday.

Manchester United face lower-league opposition in the form of third-tier cup specialists Sheffield United, who reached the League Cup semi-finals last season and the FA Cup last four the year before.

Liverpool were taken to a replay by fourth-tier Exeter City on Friday, Brad Smith's 73rd-minute equaliser sparing Jurgen Klopp's youthful side from an ignominious exit.
Source :AFP