FA Cup third round draw in full: Arsenal handed away tie, Man Utd face Brighton as Tottenham get Aston Villa

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·8 December 2025

FA Cup third round draw in full: Arsenal handed away tie, Man Utd face Brighton as Tottenham get Aston Villa

Man City and Liverpool handed favourable home ties in FA Cup third round

The draw for the FA Cup third round has been made

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Arsenal will face Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round, while Tottenham have been drawn against Aston Villa.

The Gunners, who have been knocked out of the competition by the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City in recent seasons, should fancy their chances against a Championship side.

Arsenal beat Portsmouth 2-0 at Fratton Park en route to winning the FA Cup during the 2019-20 season and Mikel Arteta will be hopeful it’s a good omen as he seeks to end his side’s long wait for a major trophy.

Tottenham, meanwhile, will take on Villa in arguably the standout tie from the FA Cup third round draw. These sides met in the fourth round last season with Unai Emery’s side emerging victorious at Villa Park.

Elsewhere, Man City will welcome Exeter City to the Etihad Stadium, Liverpool host Barnsley and Chelsea have been handed a London derby away at Charlton.

Man Utd have been paired with Brighton in an all-Premier League showdown and holders Crystal Palace will begin the defence of their trophy against non-league Macclesfield.