Carl McHugh's 88th minute
header ensured Bradford go to Villa Park with a two goal buffer and give them
the ultimate chance of producing the unlikeliest of cup finalists.
Nekhi Wells gave Bradford
the early goal a shock usually requires and as Villa missed a host of chances, the League
Two side punished them as Rory McArdle's header made it 2-0. Andi Weimann
pulled Villa back in the match; however the Bantams two goal lead was restored
via McHugh.
A place in the final isn't guaranteed
for Bradford, however Paul Lambert will be furious that his side appear to have
blown an amazing opportunity for a date at Wembley.
As for Bradford, Phil
Parkinson who was given the boot by both Hull and Charlton has masterminded an
incredible achievement, and whatever happens in the return leg, this run will
go down as one of the finest in living memory.
 |
| Parkinson has guided Bradford to 8th in League Two |
Aston Villa actually came
out the quicker, and with Charles N'Zogbia consistently finding space, an early
goal for the Villains looked inevitable; however the usually reliable Christian
Benteke couldn't convert two very presentable chances that fell his way.
Despite their slow start,
very much against the run of play, Bradford opened the scoring through Wells.
Joe Bennett conceded the
cheapest of corners, and despite dealing with the original dead ball, Zavon
Hines was first to the cleared header, and his shot was deflected perfectly
into the path of Bradford's leading goalscorer who beat Shay Given with an
assured finish.
 |
| Wells gave Bradford the ideal platform |
Bradford nearly doubled
their lead from another corner and Hanson was only denied by Fabian Delph's
clearance off the line.
The League Two's greatest
threat came from down the right, with the former West Ham winger Zavon Hines
giving Bennett a torrid time. And one of his many deliveries nearly brought about a second
goal, however Hanson headed into the ground over.
N'Zogbia was behind every
good Villa did, and he created another chance for the Premier League side, but
Gabriel Agbonlahor shot straight at Duke from in and around the penalty spot.
Villa again started the half
the quicker, but a poor touch from Ciaran Clark meant the centre half couldn't
get a shot away despite the freedom of the six-yard box.
On another evening Benteke
could've had a hat-trick, however Duke produced his best save of the evening following a diving header from the Belgian international.
Darren Bent arrived around
the hour mark and was guilty of not leveling the tie, following a shocking
miss! For the first time in the game Duke was at fault following a poor spillage
from a N'Zogbia shot, and with the goal gaping, Bent headed over from all of
two yards.
Incredibly Bradford scored a
second through McArdle. Captain Gary Jones's corner was cleared back to him,
and his delivery was perfect for the McArdle to show the £24million Bent how to
head home!
Hanson who won pretty much
ever header that was put in the penalty box from open play almost made it 3-0,
but his effort clipped the bar and went out for a goal kick.
With time running out, Villa
were in desperate need of a lifeline, and the in-form Weimann gave them exactly
that! Benteke's knock down from a long ball was perfect for the Austrian who
beat Duke to the ball before slotting it home to give Villa the goal they
merited.
Amazingly the scoring hadn't
ended, and McHugh scored Bradford's third of the evening, heading superbly home
from another pinpoint Jones set piece.
The third goal stunned
Lambert's side, and even when four minutes of extra time were signaled, Villa
didn't look like reducing the arrears and for the majority of the overtime the
ball was in the Villa half.
Few gave Bradford a chance
of eliminating another Premier League side given the two legged factor, however
come the return leg at Villa Park, the League Two side may even be slight
favourites.
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