Half-Time Report: Bradford still lead Capital One Cup semi despite Christian Benteke's goal

Bradford City still hold a 3-2 aggregate lead in the Capital One Cup semi-final against Aston Villa after 45 minutes of the second leg at Villa Park. Christian Benteke has given Villa a one-goal lead at the break.

© PA Photos

Bradford began confidently and won a free kick, from which they had been so dangerous in the first leg, in the first minute but it came to nothing.

Villa soon took control and Benteke nodded wide of the goal before another header from the Belgian couldn't be turned in by Matthew Lowton.

The hosts were camped in Bradford's half and next to go close was Fabian Delph. The midfielder drove at the visiting defence but fizzed his effort just over.

Villa got their goal in the 24th minute when Joe Bennett's cross found Benteke, who had been left unmarked and drifted to the near post, prodding home on the volley.

Paul Lambert's side didn't let up and but for Bantams keeper Matt Duke, Villa would have gone in two ahead. First, Duke fingertipped Charles N'Zogbia's fierce drive over the bar before Stephen Ireland's clipped effort was also tipped over.

Just before the half-time whistle Benteke saw a bundled effort bounce just wide before Nahki Wells curled Bradford's best effort a yard wide of Shay Given's far post.