Burnley - 3 Aston Villa - 1: Aston Villa crashed out of the League Cup last night after Robbie Blake inspired Burnley to a convincing win over the Premiership side.
Blake played most of the game as a lone striker and created his side's best opportunities in the third-round tie at Turf Moor.
Unfortunately, when he had the chance to score himself from the penalty spot he saw his effort brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
But his miss was not costly as Mo Camara headed a second from a wicked Tony Grant cross midway through the second half to put them in the hat for the next round - despite Juan Pablo Angel's late header.
Jean Louis Valois also added a late spectacular third to the seal the win.
Blake and his team-mates put in a huge performance which belied their 16th place in the English Championship and recent poor form.
Two years ago the Clarets beat Tottenham in this competition and they proved they have a taste for superior opposition despite missing their key centre-back Frank Sinclair.
Some top-flight teams have put out reserve teams for this trophy but Villa boss David O'Leary proved how important this competition was to his side's European qualification hopes by fielding his strongest possible side.
With Darius Vassell out with a broken ankle sustained at the weekend, the goalscoring responsibility now falls to Angel and Carlton Cole, but neither looked particularly threatening until the game was lost.
Angel found himself up against John McGreal who dominated throughout. When the Colombia striker found a yard of space the veteran centre-back got something behind the ball.
And Cole was short of service from the wings, Nolberto Solano being guilty of wasting chances to cross when in good positions on the right.
Such was the on-loan striker's frustration he handled blatantly midway through the first half. Solano was taken off in the second half to a chorus of cheers from home fans.
Burnley's attack, however, had real purpose largely because of top-scorer Blake's work-rate.
The former Bradford man consistently found his team-mates in dangerous position and was supported by his midfielders whenever possible.
And the captain's efforts were rewarded after eight minutes when his cross from the left was headed downward firmly by Graham Branch, giving Sorensen no chance.
BURNLEY: Coyne, Roche, Duff, McGreal, Camara, Grant, Hyde, Duffy, Valois, Blake, Branch. Subs Not Used: Jensen, Sanokho, O'Neill, Pilkington, Scott. Booked: Grant. Goals: Branch 9, Camara 65, Valois 86.
ASTON VILLA: Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel (Hitzlsperger 61), Hendrie, McCann, Whittingham, Solano (Moore 72), Angel, Cole. Subs Not Used: Postma, De la Cruz, Davis. Goals: Angel 81.
Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).
