Mason Cotcher reflected on an “unbelievable” night in the FA Youth Cup, as Aston Villa came from two goals down to beat Bristol City 3-2.
Cotcher’s hat-trick sealed a memorable comeback at Bodymoor Heath, as Jimmy Shan’s side triumphed over the Robins in the fifth round clash, to book their place in the quarter-finals where they will host Plymouth Argyle.
The young forward lauded the spirit in the side, and the character they showed to come back from behind and seal their passage through to the last eight.
He said: “Unbelievable. Coming back from 2-0 down, we didn’t expect to go 2-0 down, but we showed character.
“Quality could have been better at times, but the spirit to come back and win the game, (was) top drawer.
“Honestly, it was just togetherness. As a team, even Jimmy (Shan) has said, it’s probably one of the most together teams he’s been involved in, in his managerial career.
“The togetherness in this group is ridiculous, and I think it helps a lot in situations like that when you’re 2-0 down. You need goals to win the game.”
With goals in both of the opening two rounds the Young Lions have turned out in, Cotcher’s treble took his tally in this season’s FA Youth Cup up to five.
He is looking to continue his rich vein of form in the prestigious competition, as Villa bid to lift the trophy for the first time since 2021.
He concluded: “I just want to keep scoring as many as I can, help the team through the rounds, hopefully get to the final and win the full thing.”
