Report: Steve Garland

It was heartbreak at Villa Park on Wednesday night as a stoppage time equaliser from Jay Bothroyd was cruelly denied by the officials to prevent the lottery of extra time.

Despite the third round exit it was a match that saw Cardiff earn much credit through the nature of their play, bouncing back from the disappointment and criticism levelled following defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

The only negative from the entertaining match was through the opening minutes that eventually sealed our fate - Villa marksman Gabriel Agbonlahor linking with John Carew and some lax early defending to drill home.

We pondered a mauling against the Premier League high flyers, but instead saw a spirited performance from Cardiff that in large spells forced Aston Villa back, relying on counter attack tactics and mid range efforts. A penalty was even awarded for our hosts, though Milner hit the woodwork to keep us in the mix.

Cardiff rallied, with Jay looking to score a good goal in stoppage time. But all celebrations and the prospect of extra time were removed. We left Villa Park defeated but spirited by a completely different and improved performance following a bad weekend.

Chronological report: Off the back of a disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of QPR on Saturday, the Bluebirds travelled north to face Premier League giants Aston Villa at Villa Park, in their Carling Cup third round tie.

It was a daunting task for the Bluebirds after such a disappointing defeat, but faced a Villa side who had lost three times against lower league opposition in the Carling Cup in recent seasons.

But With an array of stars gracing the Villa eleven, it was John Carew who immediately caused the Cardiff defence some trouble.

Forced out wide, Anthony Gerrard looked to halt the progress of Carew down the right flank, but could not stop the Norwegian international getting a low cross into the six yard area, which found the un marked Gabriel Agbonlahor. The diminutive striker was left with acres of space to finish and he did so in style, back heeling the ball into the net, giving Villa the early lead.

GOAL: Aston Villa 1-0 Cardiff City (Gabriel Agbonlahor 3 mins)

John Carew was certainly the early danger man for City to contain, the big forward linking up play well with James Milner and Agbonlahor. It lead to Villas second chance just minutes later as Milner found space on the corner of the Penalty area, only to see his stinging effort blocked by the Cardiff defence.

But despite the Villa pressure, with 13 minutes gone, the Bluebirds created their first chance of the game. Gavin Rae found space just outside the penalty area and the Scot hit a good shot, which with the aid of a deflection gave Villa keeper Brad Guzan real trouble. The American international scrambled to save the initial effort, but it fell to Jay Bothroyd at a tight angle. Jay squared the ball into the six-yard box but no Bluebird was there to convert, allowing Carlos Cuellar to clear for a corner.

The corner brought another quick chance for the Bluebirds as Peter Whittingham delivered well at the second attempt, finding the head of Jay Bothroyd in the box, but City's lone striker could only head the ball just over the bar.

There was now real evidence that City's initial game plan was paying off. The midfield five were doing well to cut off the supply to front men Carew and Agbonlahor and it allowed Cardiff to pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser.

With just over twenty minutes gone, Jay Bothroyd was enjoying his lone role up front and created space for himself to unleash a superb effort on goal from just outside the penalty area. The ball looked destined for the back of the net, but just crept wide of the left hand post to the relief of Guzan in goal.

But despite all the pressure and City's numerous corners, it was to be the only chance they could carve out from their main spell of dominance in the game, as Villa and England star James Milner then pushed forward looking for Villa's second.

Milner turned young full back Adam Matthews inside out with his dribbling, allowing him the time and space to curl an effort towards goal, it looked to have beaten Enckelman in goal but fortunately also beat the far post to the relief of the travelling Cardiff fans behind the goal.

With the half coming to a close, Villa set up camp on the edge of the Cardiff penalty area, City defending with every player but Jay Bothroyd looking to stop any chance of a Villa attempt. They eventually reduced Stiliyan Petrov to a long-range effort, which was saved well by Enckelman in goal.

It was to be the last action of the half as City went into the break in the knowledge that despite conceding a poor early goal, they were most certainly matched their more illustrious opponents so far.

Half time: Aston Villa 1-0 Cardiff City

But Villa would have the better of the opening stages of the second half, as James Milner momentarily switched to the right flank and floated in a ball for John Carew to attack. He rose well but could only head the ball over the bar to the surprise of the Villa fans sat in the partially filled Holte End.

Despite that early chance it was a relatively quiet start to the second half, until Villa produced a flowing attacking move on the right flank, which put Stiliyan Petrov in the penalty area. As he looked for space to shoot, Gabor Gyepes appeared to have challenged well, but referee Taylor adjudged it as a foul and awarded Villa a penalty and a chance to double their lead.

Just short of the hour mark, James Milner stepped up to take the penalty and try and double Villa's lead, but the England international could only smash the right hand post with his effort, ensuring the Bluebirds were not out of the tie, yet.

In response Dave Jones introduced Michael Chopra to the proceeding's to try and take advantage of their good fortune.

Cardiff City Substitution: Riccardo Scimeca off - Michael Chopra on (59 mins)

Despite the introduction of another striker, City continued to struggle to create any chance of note in the second half. City were getting the free-kicks and corners to test the Villa defence but each time their delivery would let them down, the Villa defence often clearing with ease.

Indeed, Chopra's first run in behind the defence came with just 15 minutes to go as he looked to latch on to a through ball, but Brad Guzan came out quickly to scupper any chance of an equaliser.

Aston Villa Substitution: Craig Gardner off - Marc Albrighton on (79 mins)

With the game coming to a close Villa now played keep ball to try and see out their 1-0 advantage and City failed to create any chance of note for a good 15-minute period. But like any cup-tie, there was always hope of a bit of late drama.

Cardiff City Substitution: Gavin Rae off - Aaron Wildig on (89 mins)

And it came with City's final attack, Tony Capaldi drifted in a free kick from the right, which Gerrard flicked on to Bothroyd and had a clear sight of goal. Bothroyd fired home and peeled away thinking he had grabbed the late equaliser, but to his and the 4,000 travelling Bluebirds fans disappointment, the linesman's flag was raised for offside. The decision by the linesman on the far side looked harsh to say the least.

It would end any hope of extra-time for the Bluebirds as just moments later Referee Taylor blew full time on City's Carling Cup campaign for another season, but City can take heart from their display in which they were not over roared by their more illustrious opponents.

Full Time: Aston Villa 1-0 Cardiff City

Aston Villa: Brad Guzan, James Milner, John Carew, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Fabian Delph, Stiliyan Petrov, Nicky Shorey, Habib Beye, Carlos Cuellar, Craig Gardner (Marc Albrighton 79), James Collins. Subs: Brad Friedel, Steve Sidwell, Richard Dunne, Nathan Delfouneso, Stephen Warnock, Ciaran Clark.

Cardiff City: Peter Enckelman, Gavin Rae (Aaron Wildig 89), Gabor Gyepes, Peter Whittingham, Jay Bothroyd, Chris Burke, Tony Capaldi, Anthony Gerrard, Joe Ledley, Riccardo Scimeca (Michael Chopra 59), Adam Matthews. Subs: David Marshall, Mark Hudson, Paul Quinn, Miguel Comminges, Josh Magennis.

Referee: Mr A Taylor

Attendance: 22,527(Villa Park)