MICHAEL Carrick says his Middlesbrough side didn't get what they deserved against Aston Villa, after Unai Emery's side edged into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a fortunate late winner at the Riverside.

Boro more than held their own against the Premier League's second placed side and looked set for a replay at Villa Park, only for Matty Cash to break the deadlock in the 88th minute with a strike from distance that took a big deflection off Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Despite the defeat, Carrick only had positive things to say about his side, who had frustrated Villa for long stages and had their moments at the other end.

“I thought we were good all game and I’m really happy for them," said Carrick.

"I thought in the circumstances, against the team we were playing against, I thought the lads were fantastic and I’m so proud of them. Tactically they were spot on in terms of their discipline, concentration and we also played some good football at times.

"We probably had more opportunities to create chances than actual chances, but we looked dangerous enough in the game. We’re disappointed not to get something out of it.

“The boys are disappointed in there. I’m disappointed as well, but I’m not disappointed in them, I’m disappointed for them because their efforts weren’t rewarded. They showed so much against a team that’s right up there and one of the best around at the moment."

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The late goal was particularly harsh on Boro keeper Tom Glover, who made a string of fine saves on his way to winning the Man of the Match award.

Carrick said: "He's done well, Tom. It's a big change for him, he was in England then went back to Australia then came back.

"It's a big change to how he was playing over the last season or so. He's had to be patient, he's trained well and stayed ready and focused and he's taken his opportunity ever so well.

"He made some good saves today, made some big saves recently for us but actually his composure as well in possession has been good. A run of games helps that, you can see him growing all the time."

Carrick moved from his usual system to a back three of Rav van den Berg, Matt Clarke and Lukas Engel, with Isaiah Jones and Alex Bangura playing as the wing-backs.

Explaining the move, he said: "It was slightly a back three but it wasn't a massive change from what we do. We had our two midfielders, we play with two in the pockets, one striker, Izzy on the last line high on the right at times. So there wasn't for us principally a massive change, defensively there was a little bit but still then it wasn't a huge change.

"It was probably more personnel when you look and think it looks a bit different, but credit to the lads. I thought Lukas tucked in on that left hand side and did fantastic. Other than that it was probably what the boys were used to.

"We tried to get a system in place with the boys we had to choose from, who fit the system and made it difficult for Villa. Credit to the boys, they pulled it off very well."

Asked whether he made the changes with Chelsea in mind ahead of Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, Carrick said: "It was literally what we thought gave us our best chance today.

"Again, the balance, personnel, putting them in a system that they fit and balancing off with how Villa like to play and build up especially. The principles on the ball and in possession were pretty much how we play anyway, so it didn't change much."