Football
PA sport 9y

Tim Sherwood hails Aston Villa fans' support after extra-time test

Tim Sherwood felt the home draw against city rivals Birmingham in the Capital One Cup third round was reward for the Aston Villa fans for sticking with his team against Notts County.

Scott Sinclair's hat trick ensured Villa scraped past the League Two side, needing extra time to win 5-3 at Villa Park -- a result that County boss Ricardo Moniz described as "100 percent stolen" from his players.

A repeat of last season's exit at the hands of Leyton Orient looked a real possibility as Notts County led on three occasions through superb long-range goals from Genaro Snijders and Graham Burke either side of Jon Stead's penalty.

But Villa had a reply on each occasion as Adama Traore and Sinclair scored the first two equalisers, with Sinclair's second also coming via a spot-kick in what looked like a harsh award of a penalty to make it 3-3 after 90 minutes and force extra time.

The Premier League side's fitness told in extra time and they led for the first time nine minutes into the first period when Sinclair completed his treble.

Substitute Joe Bennett ensured Villa would survive an almighty scare and progress through when he completed the scoring after 111 minutes.

Villa manager Sherwood said: "The support played a big part, they could have gone against us. But the fact they have got a home draw now against Birmingham is because of their performance.

"I give the fans all the appreciation I can give and that is why we stayed out at the end on the pitch because the reason we are in the hat is because of them, they helped us hugely.

"If they stick with us like they did tonight, we will give them something to shout about."

On the prospect of facing Birmingham, Sherwood said: "I've never been involved in it. Obviously it has only been pulled out two minutes ago, but I know how important it is."

Sherwood made nine changes for the second-round tie, which resulted in an end-to-end contest with numerous other scoring opportunities aside from the eight goals.

"I got cramp watching it," he said. "When you pick a side with Jack Grealish, Carles Gil and [Jordan] Veretout in the midfield you're going to be open, we knew that.

"But then they needed the game time. I thought we had enough on the pitch to win but you have to give a lot of credit to Notts County, who conducted themselves very well and came to play football.

"To be honest with you we would not be that open in a Premier League game. The reason that those players were picked is because they needed games and the minutes on the field, although they probably got too many minutes what with the extra time.

"I thought the writing was on the wall and that perhaps it was going to be their night when they started scoring wonder goals from 30 yards out.

"At half-time at 2-1 down we had to dig ourselves out of a hole and I think the boys showed a lot of character.

"I looked in the eyes of all the players in the dressing room at half-time and they all wanted to put it right. It was a wrong they all wanted to put right and that gives me a lot of hope as I can rely on them in the future."

County manager Moniz was furious with the referee for two decisions which he felt went against his side.

In the incident which led to Stead's penalty, Villa goalkeeper Mark Bunn received only a yellow card for bringing down Izale McLeod when he was through on goal.

Then, with 12 minutes remaining, referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot when Kieran Richardson tumbled to the floor under a challenge from Stanley Aborah. It looked to be a decision that was tough on County.

Moniz said of Villa's victory: "It was 100 percent stolen. The first one is a red card and the second one is not a penalty -- how can he give that? It is not even a foul.

"The decisions are ridiculous. The referee didn't want to speak with me about it. It is about respect, like we are talking about it now. But they always feel like you are attacking them.

"I am very disappointed but I am very proud of my players, of course."

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