Downing delivers victory for Villa

27 October 2010 22:44
Stewart Downing scored a fine extra-time goal as Aston Villa made the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Burnley at Villa Park.[LNB] Burnley defender Clark Carlisle had cancelled out Villa substitute Emile Heskey's opener with just a minute of normal time remaining but Downing curled home a fine effort after 96 minutes.[LNB]Villa had Marc Albrighton sent off four minutes after the goal - for a professional foul - but last season's beaten finalists held on to reach the last eight.[LNB]Albrighton will now miss Sunday's derby against Birmingham at Villa Park.[LNB]Burnley keeper Lee Grant was called into meaningful action for the first time after 16 minutes when Ashley Young's first-time pass gave Stephen Ireland a run at goal.[LNB]But the former Manchester City player opted to shoot first time and Grant was able to save to his right.[LNB]Nigel Reo-Cooker should then have put Villa ahead after 24 minutes when Young's low cross left him with only Grant to beat six yards out. [LNB]But the midfielder side-footed his shot and the keeper was able to save. The rebound broke to Barry Bannan but he too was denied by Grant.[LNB]Dean Marney became the first player to be booked after 28 minutes when he brought down Young just outside the box after he had raced onto Ireland's pass.[LNB]Bannan made good contact with a swerving 25-yard effort early in the second half but Grant was well positioned to gather the ball low to his right.[LNB]Burnley skipper Graham Alexander than made a fine challenge on Ireland as he prepared to shoot after being found in space by Reo-Coker.[LNB]Burnley came close to taking the lead after 55 minutes.[LNB]Tyrone Mears' quick free-kick released Martin Paterson who turned inside Beye before firing a low cross-shot just past the far post.[LNB]It then needed a double save from Friedel to keep Villa on level terms.[LNB]First he fingertipped away a shot from Paterson and then reacted quickly to keep out the rebound header from Rodriguez.[LNB]The Villa keeper also had to be alert to turn over a looping header from Rodriguez.[LNB]Downing had the chance to make a quickfire impact when Young's pass sent him clear of the Burnley defence but he was well off target after lofting the ball over Grant.[LNB]Villa finally broke the deadlock after 86 minutes through Heskey after Young's low centre had presented him with a close-range tap-in he could not miss.[LNB]However Burnley forced the game into extra-time with a minute remaining, Ross Wallace supplying the cross from the right and Carlisle climbing above the Villa defence to head past Friedel.[LNB]Villa restored their lead after six minutes of the first half of extra-time, though. Downing was allowed time to check back onto his favoured left foot and, although Grant got a hand to the ball, he could not stop his fierce shot from entering the net.[LNB]Villa were reduced to 10 men after 110 minutes when Albrighton brought down Burnley substitute Wade Elliott as he raced through on goal.[LNB]Friedel made a fine save to keep out Wallace's free-kick and then Burnley appealed in vain for a penalty after Eric Lichaj appeared to handle.[LNB]The Villa keeper also did well to turn aside Elliott's close-range flick.[LNB]In the last minute Friedel kept out Mears' shot and Burnley substitute Chris Iwelumo had a header cleared off the line by Carlos Cuellar.

Source: Team_Talk