Late goals by Eric Lichaj and Nathan Delfouneso helped Aston Villa see off a determined Hereford side and reach the third round of the Carling Cup.

David Cornell made a string of saves to keep Villa at bay, denying Stephen Ireland when he ran through and keeping out Darren Bent's far-post header.

But Lichaj broke the deadlock when the Bulls could not clear a Marc Albrighton corner with 10 minutes left.

Delfouneso sealed victory when he swept home Andreas Weimann's knockdown.

Villa boss Alex McLeish, who won this competition with Birmingham last season, had rested many of his first-choice line-up but retained Richard Dunne, Charles N'Zogbia and Bent from the side that beat Blackburn on Saturday.

McLeish's men dominated possession from the start but found it far harder than expected to see off the Bulls, who are second-bottom of League Two with only one point from their first four games.

Much of that was down to Cornell, a Welsh Under-21 international on loan from Swansea, but Hereford's whole defence kept clear openings to a minimum.

Ireland should have given Villa the lead when he latched on to Barry Bannan's pass but he could not convert despite being given a second chance when Cornell fumbled his first effort.

Cornell denied Bent and Albrighton either side of the break, before his best save of the night saw him tip N'Zogbia's 25-yard effort over the bar.

Hereford began to threaten themselves with Joe Colbeck testing Brad Guzan.

But Villa finally forced the opener when Lichaj was in the right place to convert following a goalmouth scramble, and substitute Delfouneso's close-range strike put the result beyond doubt.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Aston Villa

  • 22 Guzan
  • 05 Dunne
  • 21 Clark
  • 30 Lichaj Booked
  • 07 Ireland
  • 10 N'Zogbia (Delfouneso - 58' )
  • 12 Albrighton
  • 17 Makoun
  • 25 Bannan
  • 31 Herd (Beye - 87' )
  • 09 Bent (Weimann - 72' Booked )

Substitutes

  • 33 Marshall
  • 23 Beye
  • 32 Baker
  • 34 Lowry
  • 28 Hogg
  • 14 Delfouneso
  • 26 Weimann

Hereford

  • 28 Cornell
  • 02 Green
  • 03 Heath
  • 05 Townsend
  • 04 Pell
  • 08 Featherstone
  • 14 McQuilkin (Lunt - 60' )
  • 16 Williams
  • 17 Colbeck
  • 07 Fleetwood (John - 89' )
  • 10 Facey (Arquin - 72' )

Substitutes

  • 38 Hoult
  • 19 McCarthy
  • 30 John
  • 11 Lunt
  • 31 Feeley
  • 09 Arquin
  • 32 Perkins
Ref: Wright
Att: 21,058

Match Stats

Shots

17 4

On target

8 2

Corners

9 2

Fouls

13 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:14 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +3:51

Yoann Arquin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Barry Bannan. Free kick taken by Barry Bannan.

90:00 +3:42

The ball is delivered by Habib Beye, Michael Townsend manages to make a clearance.

88:32 Substitution

Substitution Stuart Fleetwood goes off and Tom John comes on.

88:32

Andreas Weimann takes a shot.

87:04

Stephen Ireland provided the assist for the goal.

87:04 Goal scored

Goal - Nathan Delfouneso - A Villa 2 - 0 Hereford Nathan Delfouneso scores a headed goal from deep inside the penalty area. Aston Villa 2-0 Hereford.

86:53

The ball is swung over by Marc Albrighton.

86:25

Marc Albrighton takes a short corner.

86:25 Substitution

Substitution Habib Beye joins the action as a substitute, replacing Chris Herd.

84:34

Marc Albrighton takes a shot. Save by David Cornell.

82:30

Corner from the right by-line taken by Barry Bannan, Chris Herd challenges Joe Heath unfairly and gives away a free kick. David Cornell restarts play with the free kick.

81:02

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joe Colbeck by Barry Bannan. Ryan Green takes the free kick.

79:22 Goal scored

Goal - Eric Lichaj - A Villa 1 - 0 Hereford Eric Lichaj gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range high into the middle of the goal. Aston Villa 1-0 Hereford.

79:01

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Marc Albrighton.

78:08

The ball is crossed by Joe Colbeck.

76:56

Nathan Delfouneso produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

76:11

Daniel Williams restarts play with the free kick.

76:11 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Andreas Weimann for unsporting behaviour.

75:55

Unfair challenge on Harry Pell by Andreas Weimann results in a free kick.

75:19

Barry Bannan takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post.

72:59

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stuart Fleetwood on Chris Herd. Free kick taken by Bradley Guzan.

72:48

Joe Colbeck sends in a cross, Bradley Guzan makes a save.

71:01 Substitution

Substitution Andreas Weimann on for Darren Bent.

71:01 Substitution

Substitution Yoann Arquin comes on in place of Delroy Facey.

70:36

Corner from left by-line taken by Joe Colbeck.

69:52

Joe Colbeck crosses the ball in from the free kick, Richard Dunne makes a clearance.

69:52 Booking

Booking The referee books Eric Lichaj for unsporting behaviour.

69:38

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Harry Pell by Eric Lichaj.

68:28

The ball is sent over by Marc Albrighton.

68:02

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Barry Bannan from the left by-line to the near post, Kenny Lunt makes a clearance.

67:56

Barry Bannan crosses the ball, Kenny Lunt manages to make a clearance.

65:40

Joe Colbeck takes a shot. Save made by Bradley Guzan.

64:41

Unfair challenge on Michael Townsend by Darren Bent results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Ryan Green.

62:45

Marc Albrighton challenges Kenny Lunt unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is swung over by Joe Colbeck, Nicky Featherstone produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

61:26

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Joe Colbeck.

60:50

Centre by Chris Herd.

59:31 Substitution

Substitution James McQuilkin leaves the field to be replaced by Kenny Lunt.

59:16

Header from close in by Stephen Ireland misses to the left of the target.

57:57 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Delfouneso is brought on as a substitute for Charles N'Zogbia.

57:50

Charles N'Zogbia has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

56:04

Unfair challenge on Harry Pell by Eric Lichaj results in a free kick. David Cornell takes the free kick.

55:34

Charles N'Zogbia fouled by Daniel Williams, the ref awards a free kick. Marc Albrighton delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, save made by David Cornell.

52:37

Corner from the right by-line taken by Barry Bannan, Headed effort from close range by Richard Dunne goes wide left of the goal.

52:24

Eric Lichaj takes a shot. Save by David Cornell.

52:06

A cross is delivered by Marc Albrighton, Ryan Green makes a clearance.

46:47

Harry Pell fouled by Marc Albrighton, the ref awards a free kick. David Cornell takes the free kick.

46:00

Foul by Ryan Green on Darren Bent, free kick awarded. Barry Bannan takes the free kick.

45:34

Delroy Facey challenges Chris Herd unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Bradley Guzan.

45:34

Delroy Facey challenges Chris Herd unfairly and gives away a free kick. Bradley Guzan takes the direct free kick.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +1:16 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

41:09

Darren Bent takes a shot. David Cornell makes a save.

40:33

Centre by Eric Lichaj, clearance by Ryan Green.

40:09

Delroy Facey concedes a free kick for a foul on Eric Lichaj. Direct free kick taken by Eric Lichaj.

39:12

The ball is sent over by Eric Lichaj, Barry Bannan has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

38:13

Effort from outside the penalty area by Nicky Featherstone goes wide left of the goal.

37:36

James McQuilkin fouled by Jean Makoun, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Michael Townsend.

35:05

Corner taken by Barry Bannan from the left by-line, clearance by Delroy Facey.

34:52

Stephen Ireland takes a shot. Save by David Cornell.

33:39

Foul by Charles N'Zogbia on Harry Pell, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Michael Townsend.

32:44

Unfair challenge on Nicky Featherstone by Marc Albrighton results in a free kick. David Cornell takes the direct free kick.

31:23

Marc Albrighton crosses the ball, save by David Cornell.

29:13

Handball by Stephen Ireland. Direct free kick taken by Daniel Williams.

28:09

Long range shot from Barry Bannan misses to the left of the goal.

25:50

James McQuilkin produces a cross.

23:37

Charles N'Zogbia delivers the ball, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Chris Herd goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

23:06

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Barry Bannan.

22:49

Ciaran Clark takes a shot. David Cornell makes a save.

21:45

Corner taken left-footed by Charles N'Zogbia from the right by-line to the near post, Nicky Featherstone manages to make a clearance.

19:49

The ball is sent over by Marc Albrighton.

16:09

Unfair challenge on Stuart Fleetwood by Ciaran Clark results in a free kick. Harry Pell takes the free kick.

15:52

Marc Albrighton delivers the ball, save by David Cornell.

14:32

Darren Bent is caught offside. David Cornell restarts play with the free kick.

13:18

Harry Pell takes a shot. Bradley Guzan makes a save.

8:07

The official flags Darren Bent offside. David Cornell takes the free kick.

7:53

Barry Bannan takes a shot. Blocked by Nicky Featherstone.

2:43

Close range headed effort by Chris Herd goes wide of the left-hand post.

2:11

Foul by Delroy Facey on Chris Herd, free kick awarded. Barry Bannan restarts play with the free kick.

1:32

Harry Pell fouled by Jean Makoun, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by James McQuilkin.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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