Everton next for Aston Villa in the FA Cup as they avoid upset

Feb 5 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

“FIFTH round” and “Aston Villa” in the same sentence used to be a reason why Paul McGrath had skipped training.

This was, believe it or not, Villa’s joint biggest win in the competition for 10 years since Hull City were despatched 3-0 in January 1999.

All on a night when McGrath’s former friend and team-mate Paul Birch was remembered with an immaculately observed one-minute silence.

Too often Villa have been able to enjoy mid-winter breaks in the sunshine by February.

But round five is exactly where Martin O’Neill’s men will find themselves in 10 days, at Goodison Park.

Skipper (yes, you read that right) Ashley Young’s availability after a three-game ban will no doubt scare the living daylights out of Everton’s defence following his two goals two months ago.

The omens for Villa are good.

Villa’s FA Cup trip to the Toffees will inevitably conjure up memories of their 2-1 quarter-final triumph at Goodison Park when Steve Stone and Benito Carbone set them on their way to Wembley Stadium in 2000.

The history books will also show that Villa were on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat in January 1978 and a 3-2 reverse in January 1973.

But their 4-1 win in February 1959 took them en-route to a semi-final spot with Nottingham Forest.

Villa have now reached the last 16 for only the second time in nine years.

Before this season, their record since Wembley 2000 had been woeful: played 13, won three, drawn two and lost eight.

It’s amazing how a couple of wins over Gillingham and Doncaster can paper over the cracks of a big club who have consistently failed to achieve going back to the days when they last lifted the trophy in 1957.

Indeed, this is only the 20th time in 52 attempts that Villa have progressed to the last 16 since Johnny Dixon’s arms were raised aloft with the silverware.

Martin O’Neill’s men can potentially go all the way, of that there is little doubt.

Villa faced the banana skin of a biggest FA Cup shock since January 1999 when John Gregory’s team – sitting proudly joint-top of the Premier League with Chelsea – were dumped out at the fourth round stage by Kevin Keegan’s Fulham, who were pipping Walsall at the top of the Second Division, two leagues below.

The more recent memory of the League Cup embarrassment to QPR was also burning in Villa’s minds.

But there was never any chance of a repeat against a Doncaster side, 37 places below them in the league ladder, whose football was too often pretty but lacking in any real thrust in either box.

Steve Sidwell tapped in an early goal, ironically his first since the opening 34 seconds at Goodison Park in December, after Ashley Young’s long ball was nodded on by John Carew.

Craig Gardner got the better of Jason Price and forced a save from Neil Sullivan, who could only parry to the former Chelsea man.

Villa were 2-0 up when Brad Guzan’s huge free-kick was initially missed by Carew, but was headed poorly back out towards Sidwell by Sam Hird.

Sidwell nodded towards Carew and the Norwegian – in his first start for three months – controlled with his thigh then leathered a shot which took a deflection off Hird and over Sullivan.

Doncaster wasted a golden chance when Richie Wellens fired wide from the edge of the box after Price had outjumped Luke Young to knock down. Young was lucky to get away with an arm that deflected a further Price shot over the crossbar, then Doncaster got a deserved lifeline in first-half stoppage time.

Nathan Delfouneso, who would turn in a superb second-half performance, lost possession outside the Villa box.

James Coppinger found an unmarked Price who executed a fine left-foot shot for his first goal of the season.

Villa were indebted to a fine Guzan save at full stretch to deny Brian Stock, who had let fly from 30 yards.

But they were soon 3-1 ahead with Delfouneso stooping to direct a fine Nicky Shorey cross into the far corner for his third goal in seven appearances.

As for Birch, he will have enjoyed the night as he looked down from the Heavens. Sat alongside Dixon and Vic Crowe no doubt.

VILLA (4-4-2): Guzan 7; Luke Young 6, Davies 6, Cuellar 6, Shorey 6; Gardner 6, Salifou 6, Sidwell 6, Ashley Young 6 (Osbourne,78); DELFOUNESO 7, Carew 6. Not used: Friedel, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor, Knight, Lowry.

DONCASTER (4-4-2): Sullivan; O’Connor, Mills, Hird- booked 14, Chambers; Coppinger (Byfield,76), Wellens, Woods, Stock; Spicer (Guy, 75), Price (Heffernan, 75). Not used: Roberts, Van Nieuwstadt, Taylor, Lockwood.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).