Aston Villa earned a reprieve from league struggles with 2-1 FA Cup victory over Ipswich Town

05 January 2013 16:56
Aston Villa earned a reprieve from their league struggles with a morale-boosting 2-1 FA Cup victory over Ipswich Town at Villa Park. Michael Chopra had fired the Championship side in front but the recalled Darren Bent levelled before the break before Andreas Weimann headed in the late winner. Villa, with Bent starting after a five-match absence, forced the early pace before Daryl Murphy and Chopra combined well but Shay Given was quickly off his line to avert the danger. The lively Chopra fired wide before Bent attempted to set up Jordan Bowery but the former Chesterfield striker - making his first start for Villa - could not connect with the low cross. But the home side fell behind (31) when Chopra skipped round Nathan Baker and fired the ball across the face and it went in off Ciaran Clark. Chopra then found Lee Martin who fired straight at Given, and Chorpa was denied by the alert Given moments later as the Holte End grew increasingly restless. Scott Loach did well to beat away Ciaran Clark's header at his near post but Villa were forced into a change when Marc Albrighton was replaced by Weimann. Charles N'Zogbia was the architect of the equaliser, bursting clear of the Town defence before picking out Bent (46) who poked the ball home from eight yards. Patrick Kisnorbo almost diverted a Joe Bennett cross into his own net, while Loach again showed his mettle to deny Bent his second of the afternoon as the pressure mounted. Gabriel Agbonlahor was introduced for the final quarter and was soon having a decisive impact, his surging run and flighted cross giving Weimann (83) the opportunity to glance home the winner.

Source: team_talk