Bradford City against Aston Villa

This has been an amazing cup tie - the League Two side deservedly hold a two-goal lead. Paul Lambert looks in a state of shock on the Villa bench and has been seated, probably before he faints.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Bradford score from the corner with a bullet header from McHugh who beats off the challenge of Benteke and also Delph on the line who is helpless to stop it.

Bradford corner after great work on the right by Turgott, he has been a worthy replacement for the impressive Hines.

Villa are composed in possession, trying to pick out chances to create a goalscoring opportunity. Bradford are frantically pouring forward every time they are on the ball - there could be another goal here yet.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Graham Burke replaces the struggling Darren Bent for Villa.

Conceding hasn't dented Bradford's confidence and they break down the left before a cross flies across the goalmouth but there is no one there to poke it home.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Aston Villa have got a goal back with eight minutes remaining through Weimann who touches the lofted through ball by Bent past Duke, who can do little to stop the visitors pulling an important goal back.

Paul Lambert looks furious on the touchline. Phil Parkinson, the Bradford boss, has been animated all night, ushering and urging his side onwards.

The low free kick is into the arms of a grateful Shay Given and he boots the ball long to try and create a Villa attack.

Wells draws a free kick for Bradford, who are flying by the way, after Clark obstructs his run. Danger here.

And from that free kick Turgott crosses from the right to Hanson whose header strikes the top of the bar. Villa are on the ropes.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Villa's frustration boils over as Delph is booked for a challenge on Turgott.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Bradford score again! The corner is only partially cleared and immediately swung back into the box where Rory McArdle meets it with a firm header which Given can do nothing about.

The corner doesn't beat Bent at the near post but Bradford win a second corner. This has lifted the home crowd.

A Bradford counter-attack culminates in Wells running at the Villa defence before shooting from the edge of the box, which is deflected for a corner. Great play.

There are no tired bodies from Bradford who remain competitive in every tackle and challenging for every header.

A ball over the top for Bent drifts into the arms of Duke in the Bradford goal. Villa are not making the most of their possession.

A series of miskicked clearances from the visitors allow Bradford to remain in the Villa half and keep the pressure up.

A Villa attack breaks down after Turgott is tripped by N'Zogbia. The frustation continues for Villa as they let their opponents off too easily.

Bent is back on the pitch, limping, and looking rather sheepish, but you can bet he will be fine when a ball is played into his path.

Bent was caught on the way down, but he is now added to a long list of Villa names who have been guilty of wasting good chances against their League Two opponents tonight.

N'Zogbia has a speculative shot from distance which Duke parries, the ball bounces into the path of Bent who, with an open goal gaping, heads over, before crumbling to the floor in an injured heap.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Blair Turgott, on loan from West Ham, replaces Zavon Hines. Turgott, 18, has a lot to live up to, Hines has been outstanding.

Duke is forced off his line as Weimann, in an offside position, breaks through on the Bradford goal. The goalkeeeper clears into the Villa attacker and the balls deflects for a goal kick.

Hines finds himself in space centrally 30 yards out and aims a shot goalward but it is well over the bar. No worries for Given, who hasn't had a very busy second half.

Another needless foul by a Villa attacker, this time by Benteke, goes without a caution, but their frustration is clear as we enter the final 30 minutes.

Villa are pouring forward, and to all intents and purposes they are throwing the kitchen sink at the Villa penalty area to see if they can get a goal but Bradford are standing firm as Bent volleys over from a tight angle.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> A needless foul by N'Zogbia sees him booked - he is getting frustrated and it may be time to make a change.

Howard Webb waves away Villa penalty appeals after Weimann's cross strikes the midriff of Good.

N'Zogbia's left wing cross is poor and allows Bradford to break but a mistimed pass to Wells sees the young Bermudan offside.

Bradford have begun to gain possession in the Villa half and are creeping back into the game as their Premier League visitors' chances have dried up.

Hines' right wing cross flies dangerously along the goalmouth and is met by Hanson before going out of play for a goalkick. Nothing happening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Agbonlahor departs for Darren Bent. Could this be the injection that Villa need to wake them up.

Given is forced to kick the ball out for a throw after a short back pass is chased down.

Wells turns dangerously on the edge of the Villa box, but unlike the first half, the visitors stand up to the threat and take the ball away. Hines begins a second wave of attack and wins the corner which sees McHugh head over. Better spell by Bradford.

Aston Villa have dominated the game since coming out for the second half - they have not scored yet - but are looking dangerous and getting closer. Bradford need to get their foot on the ball and turn the tide.

N'Zogbia's awkward left wing cross is headed behind by Good for another Villa corner. Not to worry though, Duke catches the corner and the danger is averted.

Villa retain possession for a long time before breaking into the box but Agobonlahor's shot is turned round the post by Duke, another fine save. From the corner Benteke gives away a free kick for handball as he shoots at goal.

Bannan's left wing cross is met by Benteke's diving header but the goalkeeper is there again - a reactio save from Duke denies Villa.

Don't forget Villa have Darren Bent on the bench. They will surely turn to him if the score remains the same much longer.

The corner falls to Clark at the back post but he takes a touch too many and allows the ball to be cleared. Naive.

Two shots from Benteke are saved from Duke but he can't stop Villa winning a corner. Positive start from Villa, much like the first half.

Aston Villa kick us off for the second half.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com//design05/images/2013/0108/nahkiwellsgoalvvilla_275x155.jpg">Here is a shot of Nahki Wells firing Bradford into the lead against Aston Villa.

The main threat to Chelsea will be Michu, who has been a sensation for Swansea since joining in the summer. However, Wales manager Chris Coleman says<a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1292134&cc=5739&kjasd" target="_blank">the club won't be able to resist a big-money bid for the Spaniard sooner or later.</a>

On Wednesday night the first-leg of the other semi-final takes place at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea take on Swansea. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1292542/rafael-benitez:-demba-ba-and-fernando-torres-are-equals?cc=5739" target="_blank">Rafael Benitez says Fernando Torres and Demba Ba are equals at the club now.</a>

Villa have a big job to do if they are to fight back, Bradford have already shown they won't lie down and die by beating top-flight opposition twice already in this competition (Arsenal and Wigan).

HALF TIME: Bradford 1-0 Aston Villa. The Premier League side trail, and rightly so, after an inspired display by goalkeeper Matt Duke, wingers Zavon Hines and Nahki Wells and striker 'big' Jim Hanson.

One minute to play as Benteke fails to control a long ball forward and Bradford come away.

Bradford look to contain Villa again but N'Zogbia twists and turns before beating his man before slipping the ball across the goalmouth. It falls to Agbonlahor who blasts goalward but Duke is behind it and parries again. He is having a stormer!

As the game creeps toward half time Villa manager Paul Lambert will have a lot of talking to do, his team have been outfought and outplayed.

Some nice possession football in the Villa half by Bradford results in Hines getting to the edge of the box and lifting a shot towards goal, which ultimately floats over, but the hosts are level terms, if not edging out their Premier League opponents.

A nice Villa passing move breaks down after N'Zogbia misplaces a pass.

From a corner Hanson goes close for Bradford again with a powerful header and for a second Villa have their hearts in their mouths but Delph clears off the line.

Villa are trying to get possession higher up the pitch, after being penned in by Bradford, but the resilient hosts keep seven men behind the ball making it very hard for Villa to break them down.

Wells gets on to Hines' clever flick and shoots from the angle of the penalty area but his effort is high and wide.

Bannan takes the corner for Villa and Benteke, as usual, dominates the aerial battle and wins the header, but it is over and goes for a goal kick.

Benteke's pot shot from outside the area nearly caught Duke out but the goalkeeper manages to get behind the ball and palm to safety.

A free kick is floated into the Villa area and Hanson outjumps Clark to win the header but it is tame and doesn't trouble Given.

N'Zogbia runs at the Bradford defence with pace and gets into the box before unleashing another low left foot shot straight into the arms of Duke.

Villa haven't troubled Duke's goal since Bradford scored. It has been almost one-way traffic, as Hines' right wing cross finds Hanson in the box but he can't get his shot off properly.

Rather than long punts forward Bradford are stringing some passes together and moving forward with a purpose. Villa, shaken, concede a foul just inside their own half and allow Bradford a free kick which goes out of play.

Villa are looking increasingly unassured and lacking in confidence - the experience of N'Zogbia and Agbonlahor will be vital.

This will be a real test of Villa's mettle to overturn Bradford but with 70 minutes they have plenty of time in which to do it.

Bradford are playing with confidence and enthusiasm now, not to mention a vocal crowd cheering their every attack.

Bradford City 1-0 Aston Villa. After the Premier League side dominated the opening exchanges it is the team from the fourth tier of English football who lead.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> The corner is deflected away but volleyed straight back in and Wells takes advantage of disarray in the penalty area to beat Given from close range.

Bradford win a corner after Hines' exuberance down the right wing ties Joe Bennett in knots.

A right wing cross is again collected with ease by Given in the Villa goal.

Bannan swings the ball towards the box but it is too high for even Benteke and Bradford have time to break.

Agbonlahor is sent tumbling on the left wing by Doyle and Villa win a free kick.

Bradford City have been caused problems by the Villa attack so far but the game remains goalless.

Benteke gets to the corner first again, and, again unchallenged, he manages to head wide this time.

N'Zogbia runs at the Bradford defence but his shot is deflected behind for a corner. It's not been a slow start at Valley Parade.

From the corner Benteke gets highest and powerfully heads over.

Weimann breaks down the right and is in a shooting position, but, like Agbonlahor, he opts to pass and the ball is cut out for a corner.

Wells finds space on the right wing and gets to the byline but his cross is caught easily by Given.

Agbonlahor uses a combination of pace and trickery from the left wing to cut inside but opts to pass instead of shoot and gives the ball away sloppily.

N'Zogbia uses his strength to bustle through a challenge before firing a left foot shot between two defenders but it is straight toward Duke who parries to safety.

A ball forward towards Benteke is too fast and reaches Matt Duke in the Bradford goal before the Belgian can get close to it. Villa have not stamped their authority on the game yet.

Young Villa defender Nathan Baker cuts out Wells' cross from the right and concedes a throw in from which Jones gets a shot off but it trickles wide of Shay Givens' goal.

Agbonlahor and Benteke combine but can find no way through the defensively shaped Bradford line-up and Villa are forced to retreat.

A long punt forward by Bradford is headed out wide to former West Ham winger Zavon Hines who attacks with purpose down the right but can't stop Villa winning a goal kick.

The hosts get us underway.

Aston Villa are in their change kit of luminous green while Bradford are in their distinctive home kit of maroon and gold.

A very noisy and atmospheric Valley Parade, I should add.

The teams are led out at Valley Parade by referee Howard Webb.

Aston Villa are behind only Liverpool as the most successful side in this competition's history.

Lambert has named the varied attacking talents of Delph, Weimann, N?Zogbia, Agbonlahor and Benteke who will be instructed to build a comfortable lead against the League Two side.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is obviously looking to attack Bradford and take a strong lead back to Villa Park for the second-leg.

Bradford line up as follows: Duke; Darby, McArdle, McHugh, Good; Hines, G Jones, Doyle, Atkinson; Hanson, Wells.

Aston Villa subs: Guzan, Ireland, Bent, Lichaj, Stevens, Carruthers, Burke.

Aston Villa team news to start with: Given, Clark [c], Bennett, Baker, Lowton, Bannan, Delph, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Benteke.

Good evening - you can join ESPN for live commentary of the first-leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final between Bradford and Aston Villa.

A Bradford counter-attack culminates in Wells running at the Villa defence before shooting from the edge of the box, which is deflected for a corner. Great play.

There are no tired bodies from Bradford who remain competitive in every tackle and challenging for every header.

A ball over the top for Bent drifts into the arms of Duke in the Bradford goal. Villa are not making the most of their possession.

A series of miskicked clearances from the visitors allow Bradford to remain in the Villa half and keep the pressure up.

A Villa attack breaks down after Turgott is tripped by N'Zogbia. The frustation continues for Villa as they let their opponents off too easily.

Bent is back on the pitch, limping, and looking rather sheepish, but you can bet he will be fine when a ball is played into his path.

Bent was caught on the way down, but he is now added to a long list of Villa names who have been guilty of wasting good chances against their League Two opponents tonight.

N'Zogbia has a speculative shot from distance which Duke parries, the ball bounces into the path of Bent who, with an open goal gaping, heads over, before crumbling to the floor in an injured heap.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Blair Turgott, on loan from West Ham, replaces Zavon Hines. Turgott, 18, has a lot to live up to, Hines has been outstanding.

Duke is forced off his line as Weimann, in an offside position, breaks through on the Bradford goal. The goalkeeeper clears into the Villa attacker and the balls deflects for a goal kick.

Hines finds himself in space centrally 30 yards out and aims a shot goalward but it is well over the bar. No worries for Given, who hasn't had a very busy second half.

Another needless foul by a Villa attacker, this time by Benteke, goes without a caution, but their frustration is clear as we enter the final 30 minutes.

Villa are pouring forward, and to all intents and purposes they are throwing the kitchen sink at the Villa penalty area to see if they can get a goal but Bradford are standing firm as Bent volleys over from a tight angle.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> A needless foul by N'Zogbia sees him booked - he is getting frustrated and it may be time to make a change.

Howard Webb waves away Villa penalty appeals after Weimann's cross strikes the midriff of Good.

N'Zogbia's left wing cross is poor and allows Bradford to break but a mistimed pass to Wells sees the young Bermudan offside.

Bradford have begun to gain possession in the Villa half and are creeping back into the game as their Premier League visitors' chances have dried up.

Hines' right wing cross flies dangerously along the goalmouth and is met by Hanson before going out of play for a goalkick. Nothing happening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Agbonlahor departs for Darren Bent. Could this be the injection that Villa need to wake them up.

Given is forced to kick the ball out for a throw after a short back pass is chased down.

Wells turns dangerously on the edge of the Villa box, but unlike the first half, the visitors stand up to the threat and take the ball away. Hines begins a second wave of attack and wins the corner which sees McHugh head over. Better spell by Bradford.

Aston Villa have dominated the game since coming out for the second half - they have not scored yet - but are looking dangerous and getting closer. Bradford need to get their foot on the ball and turn the tide.

N'Zogbia's awkward left wing cross is headed behind by Good for another Villa corner. Not to worry though, Duke catches the corner and the danger is averted.

Villa retain possession for a long time before breaking into the box but Agobonlahor's shot is turned round the post by Duke, another fine save. From the corner Benteke gives away a free kick for handball as he shoots at goal.

Bannan's left wing cross is met by Benteke's diving header but the goalkeeper is there again - a reactio save from Duke denies Villa.

Don't forget Villa have Darren Bent on the bench. They will surely turn to him if the score remains the same much longer.

The corner falls to Clark at the back post but he takes a touch too many and allows the ball to be cleared. Naive.

Two shots from Benteke are saved from Duke but he can't stop Villa winning a corner. Positive start from Villa, much like the first half.

Aston Villa kick us off for the second half.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com//design05/images/2013/0108/nahkiwellsgoalvvilla_275x155.jpg">Here is a shot of Nahki Wells firing Bradford into the lead against Aston Villa.

The main threat to Chelsea will be Michu, who has been a sensation for Swansea since joining in the summer. However, Wales manager Chris Coleman says<a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1292134&cc=5739&kjasd" target="_blank">the club won't be able to resist a big-money bid for the Spaniard sooner or later.</a>

On Wednesday night the first-leg of the other semi-final takes place at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea take on Swansea. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1292542/rafael-benitez:-demba-ba-and-fernando-torres-are-equals?cc=5739" target="_blank">Rafael Benitez says Fernando Torres and Demba Ba are equals at the club now.</a>

Villa have a big job to do if they are to fight back, Bradford have already shown they won't lie down and die by beating top-flight opposition twice already in this competition (Arsenal and Wigan).

HALF TIME: Bradford 1-0 Aston Villa. The Premier League side trail, and rightly so, after an inspired display by goalkeeper Matt Duke, wingers Zavon Hines and Nahki Wells and striker 'big' Jim Hanson.

One minute to play as Benteke fails to control a long ball forward and Bradford come away.

Bradford look to contain Villa again but N'Zogbia twists and turns before beating his man before slipping the ball across the goalmouth. It falls to Agbonlahor who blasts goalward but Duke is behind it and parries again. He is having a stormer!

As the game creeps toward half time Villa manager Paul Lambert will have a lot of talking to do, his team have been outfought and outplayed.

Some nice possession football in the Villa half by Bradford results in Hines getting to the edge of the box and lifting a shot towards goal, which ultimately floats over, but the hosts are level terms, if not edging out their Premier League opponents.

A nice Villa passing move breaks down after N'Zogbia misplaces a pass.

From a corner Hanson goes close for Bradford again with a powerful header and for a second Villa have their hearts in their mouths but Delph clears off the line.

Villa are trying to get possession higher up the pitch, after being penned in by Bradford, but the resilient hosts keep seven men behind the ball making it very hard for Villa to break them down.

Wells gets on to Hines' clever flick and shoots from the angle of the penalty area but his effort is high and wide.

Bannan takes the corner for Villa and Benteke, as usual, dominates the aerial battle and wins the header, but it is over and goes for a goal kick.

Benteke's pot shot from outside the area nearly caught Duke out but the goalkeeper manages to get behind the ball and palm to safety.

A free kick is floated into the Villa area and Hanson outjumps Clark to win the header but it is tame and doesn't trouble Given.

N'Zogbia runs at the Bradford defence with pace and gets into the box before unleashing another low left foot shot straight into the arms of Duke.

Villa haven't troubled Duke's goal since Bradford scored. It has been almost one-way traffic, as Hines' right wing cross finds Hanson in the box but he can't get his shot off properly.

Rather than long punts forward Bradford are stringing some passes together and moving forward with a purpose. Villa, shaken, concede a foul just inside their own half and allow Bradford a free kick which goes out of play.

Villa are looking increasingly unassured and lacking in confidence - the experience of N'Zogbia and Agbonlahor will be vital.

This will be a real test of Villa's mettle to overturn Bradford but with 70 minutes they have plenty of time in which to do it.

Bradford are playing with confidence and enthusiasm now, not to mention a vocal crowd cheering their every attack.

Bradford City 1-0 Aston Villa. After the Premier League side dominated the opening exchanges it is the team from the fourth tier of English football who lead.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> The corner is deflected away but volleyed straight back in and Wells takes advantage of disarray in the penalty area to beat Given from close range.

Bradford win a corner after Hines' exuberance down the right wing ties Joe Bennett in knots.

A right wing cross is again collected with ease by Given in the Villa goal.

Bannan swings the ball towards the box but it is too high for even Benteke and Bradford have time to break.

Agbonlahor is sent tumbling on the left wing by Doyle and Villa win a free kick.

Bradford City have been caused problems by the Villa attack so far but the game remains goalless.

Benteke gets to the corner first again, and, again unchallenged, he manages to head wide this time.

N'Zogbia runs at the Bradford defence but his shot is deflected behind for a corner. It's not been a slow start at Valley Parade.

From the corner Benteke gets highest and powerfully heads over.

Weimann breaks down the right and is in a shooting position, but, like Agbonlahor, he opts to pass and the ball is cut out for a corner.

Wells finds space on the right wing and gets to the byline but his cross is caught easily by Given.

Agbonlahor uses a combination of pace and trickery from the left wing to cut inside but opts to pass instead of shoot and gives the ball away sloppily.

N'Zogbia uses his strength to bustle through a challenge before firing a left foot shot between two defenders but it is straight toward Duke who parries to safety.

A ball forward towards Benteke is too fast and reaches Matt Duke in the Bradford goal before the Belgian can get close to it. Villa have not stamped their authority on the game yet.

Young Villa defender Nathan Baker cuts out Wells' cross from the right and concedes a throw in from which Jones gets a shot off but it trickles wide of Shay Givens' goal.

Agbonlahor and Benteke combine but can find no way through the defensively shaped Bradford line-up and Villa are forced to retreat.

A long punt forward by Bradford is headed out wide to former West Ham winger Zavon Hines who attacks with purpose down the right but can't stop Villa winning a goal kick.

The hosts get us underway.

Aston Villa are in their change kit of luminous green while Bradford are in their distinctive home kit of maroon and gold.

A very noisy and atmospheric Valley Parade, I should add.

The teams are led out at Valley Parade by referee Howard Webb.

Aston Villa are behind only Liverpool as the most successful side in this competition's history.

Lambert has named the varied attacking talents of Delph, Weimann, N?Zogbia, Agbonlahor and Benteke who will be instructed to build a comfortable lead against the League Two side.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is obviously looking to attack Bradford and take a strong lead back to Villa Park for the second-leg.

Bradford line up as follows: Duke; Darby, McArdle, McHugh, Good; Hines, G Jones, Doyle, Atkinson; Hanson, Wells.

Aston Villa subs: Guzan, Ireland, Bent, Lichaj, Stevens, Carruthers, Burke.

Aston Villa team news to start with: Given, Clark [c], Bennett, Baker, Lowton, Bannan, Delph, Weimann, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Benteke.

Good evening - you can join ESPN for live commentary of the first-leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final between Bradford and Aston Villa.