Sheffield United 1 Villa 3

Kyle Walker scored on his debut against former club Sheffield United for 10-man Villa in the FA Cup.

The 20-year-old right-back joined Villa on loan to the end of the season from Tottenham on Thursday and, based on this performance, manager Gerard Houllier has pulled off one of the coups of the January transfer window.

Walker opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Marc Albrighton doubled the lead in the 33rd minute, before Villa conceded a penalty straight after half-time.

Ashley Young was sent off for the visitors with 13 minutes left but, despite some late pressure, the visitors defended well and then wrapped up the win with a fine long-range strike from substitiute Stiliyan Petrov late on.

Houllier made four changes from the side which lost 1-0 to Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Walker replaced James Collins, who dropped to the bench, while Carlos Cuellar moved into the centre to partner Richard Dunne at the heart of Villa's defence.

Robert Pires, Barry Bannan and Marc Albrighton all came into the starting line-up with Petrov and Stewart Downing on the bench, while Emile Heskey was missed out through suspension.

After a fairly subdued start, Villa came to life in the ninth minute thanks to a moment of brilliance from Walker.

The energetic right-back picked up the ball just inside the Sheffield United half and went on a thrusting run which seemed to catch his old team-mates by surprise.

With the Blades defence flat-footed, Walker twisted and turned his way into the box before wrong-footing goalkeeper Steve Simonsen with a cool low finish.

Brad Friedel in the away goal was called into action for the first time in the 23rd minute, denying United striker Jamie Ward with a fine save after coming off his line.

Villa held off a spell of pressure and added a second goal 10 minutes later, when Young went on a mazy dribble down the left flank.

The winger beat United full-back Elian Parrino and delivered a pinpoint cross to Albrighton, who showed great technique to volley the ball home in spectacular fashion from inside the six-yard box.

Houllier's side were now rampant and Gabby Agbonlahor almost added a third just before the half-time interval, when Simonsen saved at his near post after a brilliant solo run.

Sheffield United got a foothold back in the game immediately after the break, when they were awarded a penalty after Cuellar fouled Lee Williamson inside the box.

Ward, who was the home side's most effective player on the day, took the resulting spot-kick and calmly sent Friedel the wrong way.

Villa slowly regained their composure and should have restored their lead, when Agbonlahor broke clear of the United defence but could only hit the side netting from a tight angle.

Petrov then had two good opportunities after shooting straight at Simonsen after finding himself in a one-on-one situation with the Blades goalkeeper, before his header cleared off the line.

Young was then given his marching orders moments later after a second yellow card for a foul on Kyle Bartley, which will rule him out of the Second City derby with Birmingham.

United threw everything at Villa in the remaining minutes but the visitors delivered the killer third goal punch on the counter attack.

Albrighton and Petrov combined on the left flank before the captain let fly with a superb long-range effort, which nestled in the top corner.