FA Cup

[monks data]

FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 4, 2014 at 3pm UK

Aston Villa
1-2
Sheff Utd Sheffield United

Helenius (75')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Murphy (20'), Flynn (81')

Half-Time Report: Jamie Murphy hands Sheffield United lead at the break

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 04 January 2014

Jamie Murphy hands Sheffield United the lead at the break in their FA Cup clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

League One side Sheffield United lead at the break in their FA Cup clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Sheffield United's Jamie Murphy celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Aston Villa during their FA Cup third round match on January 4, 2013 © Getty Images

Villa started well as Marc Albrighton earned several free kicks early on down the right, but the home side couldn't turn their pressure into a goal.

After seeing out the storm from the Premier League outfit, the visitors took the lead in the 20th minute when striker Jamie Murphy latched onto a through-ball and fired past Jed Steer with the aid of a deflection.

Paul Lambert's side had an excellent chance to level things up just before the break when Albrighton sprinted down the left and lifted a cross into the area for Christian Benteke, who beat his man in the air but his effort went wide of the target.