Bradford City is within reach of Wembley after stunning Aston Villa 3-1 in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final.
Bradford, who knocked out Arsenal in the quarter-finals, are now only 90 minutes away from becoming the first side from the lowest tier to reach the final of this competition since Rochdale in 1962.
The Bantams scored first when Villa failed to clear a corner and when Hines’s shot was blocked, it fell invitingly for Wells to sweep a powerful finish past keeper Shay Given to spark wild scenes of celebration
Villa pressed for an equalizer with but in-form Benteke could not capitalize, missing four really good chances to equalize.
Spurred on by a passionate home crowd, Bradford kept pushing forward and they were reward 13 minutes from time when once gain Villa failed to clear a corner, allowing Jones to whip in a cross that was powered home by McArdle.
Hanson then headed against the bar as Villa needed something desperately to raise their spirits for the second leg. And Weimann was brave enough to provide it as he beat Duke to a loose ball to bundle home.
Bradford, however, were in no mood to be denied and restored that crucial advantage two minutes from time when another corner proved Villa’s undoing, McHugh heading in again from another Jones delivery
All in all it was a great night for Bradford City. And it was another defensive nightmare for Villa. Villa fans will feel they created enough opportunities to still harbor hopes of reaching Wembley. But their recent form, however, suggests that the pressure is all on them and that it will be Bradford fans who will be walking down Wembley Way next month.
