Sinclair hits hat-trick as Villa see off battling Notts County
Scott Sinclair's hat-trick ensured Aston Villa scraped into the third round of the Capital One Cup, needing extra-time to defeat Notts County 5-3 at Villa Park.
A repeat of last season's exit at the hands of Leyton Orient looked a real possibility as the League Two side led on three occasions through superb long-range goals from Genaro Snijders and Graham Burke either side of Jon Stead's penalty.
But Villa had a reply on each occasion as Adama Traore and Sinclair scored the equalisers, with Sinclair's second also coming via a spot-kick in what looked like a harsh award of a penalty to make it 3-3 after 90 minutes and force extra-time.
The Premier League side's fitness told in extra-time and they led for the first time nine minutes into the first period when Sinclair completed his treble.
Substitute Joe Bennett ensured Villa would survive an almighty scare and progress through when he completed the scoring after 111 minutes.
Snijders had put Notts County in front after 16 minutes with a looping shot from 25 yards that deceived debutant goalkeeper Mark Bunn.
Things almost got worse for Villa shortly afterwards but Izale McLeod's shot skidded narrowly wide.
A familiar face to Magpies fans got the hosts back into it. Jack Grealish, who impressed during a loan spell at Meadow Lane two seasons ago, teed-up Traore who marked his home debut, and first start, with a coolly-taken finish from the right-hand side of the area.
Roy Carroll kept the score level with an outstretched foot to deny Sinclair before Notts County edged ahead again with the final kick of the first half.
McLeod raced behind the Villa defence and on to Elliott Hewitt's long ball and was brought down by Bunn, who only received a yellow card. Stead stepped up and placed the penalty into the roof of the net.
However, five minutes into the second half Villa were level. Grealish again was the visitors' tormentor, meandering into the box and setting up a simple tap-in for Sinclair.
But in the 56th minute Villa Park was stunned once more as former trainee Burke marked his return to his old club with a stunning left-foot curler from 30 yards out which clipped a post on the way in.
The Magpies might have extended their lead but Bunn denied Stead and Snijders in quick succession.
Then, with 12 minutes remaining, another twist. Kieran Richardson ran into the box and tumbled to the floor under a challenge from Stanley Aborah. It looked to be a harsh decision to say the least.
But Sinclair took the penalty and his strike had enough power to beat Carroll, who went the right way and got hands on the ball but could not keep it out.
Sinclair might have had his hat-trick before the 90 minutes was up but Carroll stood up tall to deny him.
The 26-year-old did complete his treble after 99 minutes with another tap-in, this time from substitute Joe Cole's squared pass.
Notts County sub Jimmy Spencer had a glorious chance to equalise but he poked his shot wide after controlling the ball neatly on his thigh inside the box.
Sinclair wasted another chance before Bennett rounded off his driving run with a neat finish to find the bottom corner of the net.
There was still time for Grealish to miss an open net but another goal would have been harsh on the Magpies and it finished 5-3.
Source: PA
