Aston Villa 1-0 Blackpool Blackpool, nine points adrift at the bottom of the Championship, give a poor Villa side the run around, and only a fantastic Shay Given save prevents them falling behind to an Ishmael Miller strike. Benteke spares the blushes of the Premier League club with a goal two minutes from time.

Aston Villa 2-1 Bournemouth An under-pressure Paul Lambert is relieved to watch his side overcome a weakened Bournemouth outfit, with Eddie Howe resting players for their promotion campaign. The scoring is opened by Carles Gil, who finds the net with a stunning curling finish from 25 yards.

Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester In the same week that the club sack Lambert, replacement Tim Sherwood watches on from the stands as his new club labours through the opening 45 with the score at 0-0. At this point he elects to storm the dressing room and give an impromptu first team talk. It works, and a reinvigorated Villa progress to the quarters.

Aston Villa 2-0 West Brom Villa impress in this derby game against the Baggies, and both Fabian Delph and Scott Sinclair find the net as the Villains beat WBA for the second time in a week. There are ugly scenes after the final whistle, however, as supporters storm the pitch.