Marquis late goal piles pain on Villa
Following their midweek Capital One Cup exit to npower League Two outfit Bradford, the last thing Paul Lambert’s side needed was a tricky FA Cup tie against more lower-league opposition but their cause received a tonic start when Darren Bent put them in front after 22 minutes.
But goals from Danny Shittu and Marquis sealed a well-deserved win for Millwall and piled even more pressure on the Villa boss.
Sadly, the fantastic result for Kenny Jackett’s side was slightly marred when a section of home fans began throwing missiles on to the pitch in the second half.
Villa started like a team under pressure and looked nervy in possession, with Millwall only able to fire in a couple of harmless long-range efforts.
But then, Lambert’s side, against the run of play, went ahead.
Fabian Delph robbed Liam Feeney of possession and Andreas Weimann capitalised, running on to the ball before forcing David Forde into action for the first time.
The Lions’ goalkeeper could only palm Weimann’s effort into the path of Bent, whose miskicked effort crept over the line to give the beleaguered top-flight side the lead.
However, the home side were level just five minutes later, as James Henry’s corner found Shittu at the back post and the Millwall skipper rose to power a header past Shay Given.
The equaliser led to the nerves creeping back into Villa’s game and meant the npower Championship promotion hopefuls went in level at the break.
The tie looked set for a replay until Millwall striker Marquis headed Adam Smith’s cross on to the bar before reacting quickest to nod home the rebound.
The earlier incident from the home fans meant they had to negotiate six minutes of stoppage time before becoming the first name in the hat for round five, but they did so with relative ease to leave Lambert suffering one of his worst weeks in management.
MILLWALL: Forde, Shittu, Beevers, Smith, Osborne, Trotter, Henry,
Feeney, Abdou, Marquis (Smith 90), Keogh (N’Guessan 82).
ASTON VILLA: Given, Vlaar, Clark, Bennett, Lichaj, Lowton, N’Zogbia, Westwood, Delph (Bannan 39), Bent, Weimann (Bowery 81).
Referee: N Swarbrick
