Bristol Rovers 1-3 Aston Villa

Aston Villa have made it through to the FA Cup fourth round with a 3-1 win at League Two Bristol Rovers.

On a difficult playing surface, Emile Heskey had the first meaningful opening of the match on 16 minutes when he poked over from close range following Stephen Ireland's flick on.

The striker came close again five minutes later, but he headed over from a corner.

Villa went ahead ten minutes before the break when Marc Albrighton fired in from the angle after he had collected Stilian Petrov's incisive pass.

Chris Zebroski had Rovers' best opportunity of the half, but his shot was easily collected by goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Albrighton could have doubled his side's lead just before the break when he skewed his volley wide from eight yards following Stephen Warnock's cross.

Scott McGleish should have draw the hosts level early in the second half, but he fluffed his shot after Joe Anyinsah had found him in the area.

Villa were 2-0 up on 63 minutes thanks to substitute Gabriel Agbonlahor's cool finish after he had shrugged off the attention of two Rovers defenders.

Aynisah's deflected effort nearly found the net for the home side before Ciaran Clark's low, curled shot from the edge of the area sealed the win for Alex McLeish's side.

Rovers were rewarded for their endeavour in injury time when McGleish's looped the ball over Guzan after he had been played through by Richard Dunne.

In a frantic finish, McGleish saw his low penalty saved after Warnock had handballed in the area.