Source: SKY_Sports
Villa edge out Bluebirds
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} A solitary strike from Gabriel Agbonlahor was enough to secure Aston Villa a passage into the fourth round of the Carling Cup at Cardiff's expense.[LNB] Agbonlahor linked up with strike-partner in the third minute of the game to hit the target for the fourth game in a row.[LNB]The Bluebirds battled for an equaliser throughout and Jay Bothroyd had the ball in the net in injury time only to see his effort ruled out for offside.[LNB]There was still no room for Nigel Reo-Coker as Villa boss Martin O'Neill made five changes to the side that defeated Portsmouth on Saturday.[LNB]The Irish managed retain a core of experienced players and skipper Stiliyan Petrov, winger James Milner - despite a missed penalty - and defenders Carlos Cuellar and Nicky Shorey all had fine games.[LNB]But Cardiff, whose boss Dave Jones made six alterations to his line-up, were far from overawed and had opportunities to at least take the game into extra-time after a brave performance.[LNB]Dream StartVilla Park was barely half-full despite the presence of 3,000-plus Cardiff fans but it was the home side who took the lead through Agbonlahor.[LNB]Carew was the creator with a run down the right flank before sending over a low cross.[LNB]Agbonlahor was first to react at the near post and his deft flick flew past his former Villa team-mate Peter Enckelman into the far corner of the net.[LNB]Gabor Gyepes was presented with a golden chance to equalise when he got on the end of an inswinging free-kick from Whittingham but from six yards out he headed over the crossbar.[LNB]Milner was not hesitant in letting fly with one effort cannoning off Adam Matthews for a corner and another producing a low save from Enckelman.[LNB]But Cardiff were creating chances and Brad Guzan, deputising for the rested Brad Friedel, did well to keep out a deflected drive from Gavin Rae.[LNB]Bluebirds skipper Joe Ledley then headed over after a cross from Chris Burke that as Cardiff continued to cause the home side problems.[LNB]Milner showed his trickery in twice turning past Matthews and his eventual cross curled just past the far post with Enckelman scrambling along his line.[LNB]Carew sent a glancing header wide from a Milner corner but Cuellar had to be alert at the other end to block a shot from Jay Bothroyd in a quick Cardiff counter-attack.[LNB]ChancesEnckelman got his body behind a low drive from Villa skipper Petrov just before the interval as Villa headed in a goal up.[LNB]Carew had a good opportunity to double Villa's lead after two minutes of the second half when a cross-field ball from Fabian Delph found Milner in space and his centre picked out Carew at the far post.[LNB]But the Norway international headed wide when he should have at least hit the target.[LNB]The visitors had a let-off after 58 minutes when Milner missed from the penalty spot. Petrov was brought down in the area by Gyepes who was also yellow-carded for the foul. Milner stepped up but he crashed his shot against the woodwork.[LNB]Jones brought on top scorer Michael Chopra in place of Riccardo Scimeca after an hour and Delph then became the first Villa player to be cautioned for a challenge on Whittingham.[LNB]Guzan was the equal of a curling 30 yard free-kick from Whittingham and Habib Beye was yellow-carded for a foul on the same player as Cardiff pressed for an equaliser.[LNB]Bothroyd then thought he had levelled in injury-time but the flag was already raised for offside.[LNB][LNB]Aston VillaTeam StatisticsCardiff City1Goals011st Half Goals04Shots on Target65Shots off Target22Blocked Shots36Corners311Fouls72Offsides32Yellow Cards10Red Cards054.4Possession45.6
