RUDY GESTEDE scored the only goal of the game as Aston Villa secured a place in the fourth round of the League Cup with a derby victory over Birmingham City.

The Villans went into the game having been eliminated in their previous two home ties in the third round, failing to score in either.

And it was the team from the second-tier who had the better of a lacklustre first-half but failed to capitalise on their good build-up play with both Jacques Maghoma and Demaral Gray having good chances to give their side the lead.

Tim Sherwood made a double substitution at half-time with Jack Grealish and Jordan Ayew replacing the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor and Joleon Lescott.

And the substitutions proved to be a masterstroke as the hosts went ahead when Grealish found Jordan Amavi down the left. The France Under-21 international then whipped in a fantastic first-time cross for Gestede to head home midway through the half.

Maghoma had the chance to draw the Blues level late in the game only for his scuffed effort to be easily saved by Brad Guzan.

But Villa held on for a much-needed victory following a disappointing start to their league campaign which has seen them pick up just four points from six games.

“To be honest, points tally-wise this season we haven’t got what we’ve deserved this season. The performances have been encouraging but this is a new group of players,” said Sherwood.

“But it’s about wins and I understand that the fans are only interested in wins, they don’t dissect the game like I do every week.

“This is a win and a win in a local derby. We were on a hiding to nothing tonight so I’m just delighted for the boys and hopefully it can be a platform for us to move on.”

After the game Blues manager Gary Rowett claimed he knew the Villa team well in advance, however was disappointed that his side couldn’t capitalise on their first-half display.

He said: “I felt first-half tactically we got the game spot on, I actually knew their team yesterday funnily enough, and we did a little bit of work against it.

“That often happens, you get a little tip off. Sometimes they’re right sometimes they’re not. We haven’t chased that.”

But when asked about Rowett’s revelation of a leak Sherwood was left bemused. He said: “Well done. Of course it’s not nice is it. Did he tell you who it was? Bit interesting why he even mentioned it. Strange really.”

A total of 28 men were arrested during a police operation to minimise disorder during Aston Villa’s Capital One Cup derby win over Birmingham.

The policing plan for the match, which Villa won 1-0, aimed to prevent “cross-over” between rival supporters travelling to and from Villa Park.