Aston Villa 2 Hereford 0: Lichaj and Delfouneso with late goals

Written by Dan on August 23, 2011

Just over 21,000 saw Villa earn their place in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup the hard way thanks to a late goal each from Eric Lichaj (80′) and Nathan Delfouneso (88′) from the bench.

It’s a game I’ve yet to see anything from first hand, but it sounds like we dominated the game pretty much in the manner you’d expect over a struggling League Two side, but were frustrated by some fine goalkeeping from 20 year old loanee, David Cornell.

Barry Bannan was man of the match, Stephen Ireland missed a couple of sitters, but did provide is credited with the assist for Delfouneso’s headed goal (Edit: We’re informed in the comments below that it was actually Weimann who set up the opportunity). Everyone apart from Brad Guzan and Jean II Makoun had a crack at goal at some point. Cornell made eight saves.

It might have been more encouraging to have made it past Hereford with a little more ease, but cup games always have the potential to go this way and the important thing is that we’re in the hat for the next round.

Starting XI: Guzan, Herd (Beye 87′), Lichaj, Dunne, Clark, Ireland, Makoun, Bannan, Albrighton, N’Zogbia (Delfouneso 58′), Bent (Weimann 72′). Unused Subs: Marshall, Baker, Lowry, Hogg.