Despite going ahead in the 8th minute, Villa ended up conceding two late goals to go crashing out of the competition
JOHN TERRY endured an embarrassing return to action as Aston Villa were dumped out of the FA Cup against League One opposition.
The Villa captain was finally ready to play again after two months out with a broken bone in his foot and was drafted in as one of ten changes made by boss Steve Bruce.
And the one-time England and Chelsea defender could not help guide his inexperienced team-mates into the fourth round after a late winner from Peterborough.
Keinan Davis put Villa ahead after only eight minutes but they failed to capitalise on the early lead and have keeper Jed Steer to thank for the fact they are still in the FA Cup at all.
Bruce's side were under the cosh from Posh for virtually the whole game as Marcus Maddison, Liam Shephard, Jack Marriott and Danny Lloyd all went close to equalising.
Shephard hit the crossbar in the first half and Steer - playing his first game since mid-September - had to make a series of saves to spare Villa embarrassment.
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Centre half Terry's last involvement with the FA Cup was on the bench at last season's final when Chelsea lost to Arsenal.
He was called upon to use his experience just to help Villa hold out as Marriott in particular continually threatened the home side's goal.
And they got their reward when Chris Forrester's cross into the Villa box was not dealt with decisively 15 minutes from time.
Lloyd delivered a second ball into the box and Marriott, who has already scored 21 goals this season, was there to turn it into the net with his head right in front of Boro's 4,500 travelling fans.
But things got even better for the visitors when Ryan Tafazolli broke through on goal and fired home his effort to decide the game with just seven minutes left.
However, proceedings weren't over just yet, with Boro going on to score a late third goal thanks to star man Marriott.
