Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish admitted relief after last night's Carling Cup victory.
McLeish paid credit to Aston Villa's youngsters for a nail-biting 2-0 win over a battling Hereford United.
Villa sealed a third-round place with two goals in the last ten minutes from Eric Lichaj and Nathan Delfouneso.
The former Scotland manager admitted his side had made hard work of it.
"It was a shame we could not get an early goal," he said. "We made a good start but I was wondering whether the players were thinking seriously about the approach to the game when they were playing a team from a lower division.
"I thought they went about their task really well. We didn't get a break though and I thought Hereford did their manager proud.
"They played very well and were excellent. They kept in the game and gained in confidence and I always worried about a defender making a mistake and opening the back door.
"They didn't really trouble us too much but the professionalism in the team is brilliant and exemplified by the captain, Richard Dunne.
"He was outstanding against Hereford and showed he has the same attitude whether it is Manchester United or Hereford United."
