O'neill Relief As Agbonlahor Brings Battling Cardiff to Heel [Edition 2]

Summary

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GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR'S cheeky finish ensured Martin O'Neill's side did not fall in this competition for the third successive year to Championship opponents at Villa Park.

The England striker showed a touch of class after just three minutes as Villa reached the last 16 for the first time since 2006. In the past two seasons they have fallen to Leicester and QPR, but Agbonlahor's fourth goal in as many games proved enough to beat willing but limited Cardiff. O'Neill said: 'We have avoided the unwanted hat-trick and I always felt we were reasonably in control, even if Cardiff played some really nice football.' Agbonlahor compensated for the loss of Villa's most potent attacking force after Ashley Young was forced to miss the tie with a calf injury. He revelled in the extra responsibility, flicking home at the near post from John Carew's cross as O'Neill's favourite player once more came up trumps for his admiring boss.

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Extract

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O'neill Relief As Agbonlahor Brings Battling Cardiff to Heel [Edition 2]

The Irishman has fielded Agbonlahor in all but nine fixtures since he took over from David O'Leary just over three years ago and, with a full summer's rest, he has ...

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