Aston Villa 2 - West Brom 0: Pitch invasion mars glory for resurgent Villa

THE PASSION at Villa Park has been muted for so long that maybe you could understand the wild celebrations that greeted their triumph yesterday evening in reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

Aston VillaGETTY

Aston Villa fans swarmed the players in a mass pitch invasion

New manager Tim Sherwood danced along the touchline when the second goal hit the net and punched the air in front of the fans, and the players dived into a jubilant huddle.

Sadly, too many Villa supporters also invaded the pitch, both when the crucial second goal was scored and on the final whistle, when West Brom player Calum McManaman appeared to be struck by one of the crowd.

It was a bittersweet end to a quarter-final that could bring major repercussions. Going to Wembley will doubtless be a fine day out, but Villa didn't need this

The winning goals came from skipper Fabian Delph and winger Scott Sinclair in the second half after what was probably a robust team talk during the break from Sherwood.

Albion had dominated the first half, but were insipid in the second period; a surprise from a side managed by Tony Pulis. The real damage had been done long before Claudio Yacob was sent off in the 80th minute.

Maybe Villa's team pattern and rhythm had been disrupted at the start by the absence of striker Christian Benteke through injury. They lacked an aerial presence, and found that trying to play on the ground through West Brom's superbly organised defence required more than endless square passes in midfield.

Manager Tim Sherwood had demanded a 'no-fear' approach from his team. That mattered little without some guile and creativity.

Albion bossed the opening period, creating the best chances - but spurned them too.

Brown Ideye steered a close-range shot over the bar in the eighth minute when it seemed easier to score as a neat passing move opened up the Villa defence with ease.

Pulis looking for little bit of luck for quarter-final [AMBIENT]

Fellow striker Saido Berahino also tested Villa keeper Shay Given with a fierce low shot, while the veteran goalie also did well to tip over a deflected volley from Chris Brunt.

Villa needed the break, and returned with far more tempo and desire to their football.

It brought swift reward with a goal in the 51st minute, created by a brilliant raid down the right wing by Charles N'Zogbia, running at and past opposition defenders. His pass found Delph in space and the Villa captain shot with precision into goal.

Now the phoney war was over. West Brom were suddenly infused with urgency, too, and there was far more space all round in which to play.

They should have equalised in the 57th minute at a corner, but Joleon Lescott contrived to head into the side netting when he appeared to have the goal at his mercy.

It was a rare moment of alarm for Villa, though. They were now the team in charge, and chasing the second goal that would clinch victory.

Only a brave save from Boaz Myhill prevented a goal for the revitalised Sinclair, who also shot wide on the run with another opportunity.

Villa's ascendancy was stark, and West Brom's cause was further harmed by the dismissal of midfielder for Claudio Yacob after two yellow cards in the space of five minutes.

Sinclair scored the clinching second goal in the 85th minute, converting a superb counter-attack the length of the field.

There was still time for another red card, this one to Villa's young substitute Jack Grealish, for two bookable defences, the second a dive.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?