Kortney Hause: Aston Villa happy to utilise football's 'dark arts' in Carabao Cup semi-final triumph

Villa triumphed 3-2 on aggregate over the Foxes, after going into the two-legged semi-final as considerable underdogs, against a team who had thumped them 4-1 in the Premier League only last month.

With the tie level at 1-1 heading into Tuesday’s second leg, defender Hause explained how Dean Smith’s team had deliberately set out to be more aggressive, using tactical fouls to break up the rhythm of their opponent where necessary.

“The gameplan was not to give them any respect and go up against them and foul them. Literally – to break up their play,” he said.

“It’s part of the game. It came from the manager, but also us players as well – we’re old and experienced enough to recognise what we’ve got to do on the pitch.

“As soon as they looked like they were going to break through, bring them down, break up the play. It went spot on, so we did well.”

Hause continued: “I thought we showed them a bit too much respect at their place, so we know how good we are, we respected how good Leicester are too, because they have good players and are a good team – that’s why they’re up there in the league.

“We didn’t want to show them any respect. We wanted to get up against them and I thought we did that quite well, restricted them from playing, especially in the first half.”

Villa won the tie in dramatic fashion courtesy of Trezeguet’s goal in the third minute of stoppage time. The final whistle was greeted by a mass pitch invasion that saw several players mobbed.

“The fans are very passionate and crazy, which is what you need at a football club,” said Hause. “They keep you on your toes, and there are high expectations here, but that’s what you want as players.

“You want the fans to get on you when you’re not doing well and you want them to praise you when you are so that’s what the fans demand of you.

“To be fair, the numbers that went on the pitch, I was just trying to get off. They tried to (mob me), but I just kept dropping the shoulder! It just the passion and that the fans really care about the club.”

He continued: “To play any game at Wembley is a good feeling and we’re delighted to have played a part in getting the club there.

“This club has good history in this cup, so we just want to add to that. Whoever we play in the final, we just want to give it a good go.”

Villa were set on their way to victory by Matt Targett’s 12th-minute opener, but the tie then looked to be headed for a penalty shootout when Kelechi Iheanacho levelled for Leicester, with 18 minutes remaining.

Trezeguet’s late strike was Villa’s second stoppage-time winner in a week after Tyrone Mings earned them a 2-1 Premier League victory over Watford.

“It’s nice to always score late,” said Targett. “We’re getting into a bit of a habit and it is a good one to have. It means we’re finishing the game strong.

“Towards the start of the season we were giving away a lot of leads late on, so it’s nice to turn that around.”