Orient boss reflects on cup scalp

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient's Romain Vincelot (second from right) celebrates scoring the winner against Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup (pic: Nick Potts/PA)Leyton Orient's Romain Vincelot (second from right) celebrates scoring the winner against Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup (pic: Nick Potts/PA) (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade expressed his delight after seeing his side knock Premier League Aston Villa out of the Capital One Cup at Villa Park last night

French midfielder Romain Vincelot headed an 87th-minute winner from Bradley Pritchard’s cross, after fellow countryman Mathieu Baudry had seen an earlier effort pushed onto the crossbar by Shay Given.

And Orient’s reward was a home tie against League One rivals Sheffield United, who had knocked neighbouring West Ham on penalties at Upton Park out the night before.

Slade said: “It’s pleasing to be at home in the next round.

“Sheffield United are a great club. I used to be there for three and a half years, so I will look forward to that, although it will be a tough game.”

Orient travelled to the Midlands on the back of a goalless draw with Walsall at the weekend and Slade made six changes to his starting line-up, bringing former Villa youngster Shane Lowry into the side among others.

O’s took some time to settle as Villa started brightly, with Darren Bent forcing a save from Gary Woods.

Stand-in skipper David Mooney headed wide at the other end before the break, with Baudry hittin the woodwork after the restart.

An offside flag denied Jay Simpson a goal and the tie looked to be heading for extra time when Vincelot – on target in the previous round at Plymouth – popped up with his late winner.

Slade added: “My over-riding feeling is I’m pleased. I’m pleased we stuck to the game-plan.

“It was important to stay in the game, especially early on. It allowed us time to settle and then we got on the ball reasonably well.

“We grew into the game and I’m delighted we didn’t go into extra time for the second time this season, having done so in the previous round.

“Obviously getting the goal when we did makes it difficult for them to respond.”

O’s have only two days to recover before returning to League One action at unbeaten leaders Fleetwood on Saturday.

But they will travel to the north west coast with confidence after claiming such an impressive cup scalp over Paul Lambert’s Villa.