Aston Villa advanced to the next round of the Carabao Cup after defeating Coventry City 3-1 away from home on Wednesday, with Tammy Abraham scoring twice and Ross Barkley also getting on the scoresheet.
Villa made a quick start as Abraham opened the scoring in the seventh minute, finishing a move created from the right flank.
Coventry responded 20 minutes later when Victor Torp curled a free-kick into the right side of the net to level the contest.
The visitors regained the lead five minutes before half-time through Barkley, who headed home a cross from Ibrahim Mbaye following a set-piece routine.
Coventry were dealt another blow early in the second half when Abraham struck again in the 59th minute to restore Villa’s two-goal advantage.
The striker finished a corner-phase attack with his second goal of the night.
Villa controlled the remainder of the match and managed to see out the victory despite Coventry attempting to reduce the deficit.
The hosts had 43 per cent possession and registered 14 shots, five of which were on target.
Villa, meanwhile, recorded 18 attempts, including nine on target, while creating four big chances compared to Coventry’s none.
Villa also dominated the attacking areas, completing 10 of their 20 crosses and winning eight corners, while Coventry had just two.
The result secured Unai Emery’s side a place in the next stage of the competition.
Abraham was replaced by Nicolas Jackson in the 69th minute after producing a decisive display, while Villa also had to substitute goalkeeper Marco Bizot at half-time after he picked up an injury.
Coventry made several changes in an effort to fight back, but Villa remained composed and held on comfortably for a 3-1 victory.
