Kidderminster Harriers 0 Aston Villa 3 - Report and pictures

Hourihane fired the visitors in front inside the opening ten minutes, before Chester later extended the advantage from close range during an entertaining first half.

Lively Harriers had chances to score themselves but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Mark Bunn, with youngster McKirdy adding Villa’s third late on.

Assistant boss Colin Calderwood took charge of a Villa XI at Aggborough which included Micah Richards, in what was the defender’s first outing since the 1-1 draw with Wolves last October, Steve Bruce’s first game in charge.

Ross McCormack was handed a start along with Aaron Tshibola, while there was also a place for teenage left-back Oscar Borg.

The Harriers team included no fewer than three trialists, including one in goal, while there were seven more named on the bench.

Both sides went close in an busy opening which set the tone for an end-to-end first half.

James McQuilkin just couldn’t get enough contact on an inviting Sam Austin pull-back, while McCormack shot straight and the keeper when afforded time and space in the box by the Harriers defence.

Richards was then inches away from opening the scoring when he came flying in to meet Gary Gardner’s far post cross but could only direct his header wide of the target.

Villa eventually got their noses in front on ten minutes as Hourihane showed perseverance to break the deadlock.

Scott Hogan was the man initially denied by the keeper, while Hourihane also saw his rebound effort blocked on the line before slamming the ball into the top corner at the second attempt.

Harriers perhaps should have levelled but Liam Truslove placed a shot wide after excellent hold-up play from Joe Ironside, while Liam Daly headed over and Manny Sonupe volleyed a fraction off target.

On the half-hour mark Villa pulled further ahead with the simplest of goals when Chester was allowed to run unmarked to meet Hourihane’s inswinging free-kick and tap home from close range.

By half-time they could have been further ahead but Richards again headed wide, while Harriers centre-back Cieron Keane prodded a low cross from the lively Hogan just past his own post.

Andre Brown was one of numerous substitutes introduced by the hosts at half-time and almost immediately pulled one back but saw his shot fly inches wide of the far post.

McCormack was then denied by the outstretched leg of the Harriers keeper before also seeing a shot deflected narrowly over the bar.

Harriers substitute Kieren Finglas had a fortunate escape when he turned Birkir Bjarnason’s cross onto his own bar.

Substitute McKirdy eventually got the third with seven minutes remaining when he tapped home from close range after Corry Taylor had diverted a Bjarnason cross into his path.

Teams:

Villa (4-4-2): Bunn, Hutton (Taylor 77), Richards (Prosser 68), Chester © (Bedeau 62), Borg (Toner HT), Tshibola (McKirdy 62), Gardner (Abdoul 77), Hourihane, Bjarnason, McCormack, Hogan Subs not used: Watkins (gk).