Aston Villa have overcome a tenacious Doncaster Rovers to win their fourth round FA Cup clash 3-1.

The match was marked with a return goal from Villa striker John Carew who has been out of action for almost three months.

A much changed Villa outfit took to their home ground in front of 24,203 fans and delivered the first blow in the 15th minute through midfielder Steve Sidwell.

Rovers keeper Neil Sullivan managed to knock a Craig Gardner shot away but Sidwell was on hand to tap in.

Villa's lead was doubled when Carew shot from the edge of the area, taking a deflection off Rovers defender Sam Hird and edging over Sullivan.

Just before half-time, Doncaster hit back through Jason Price giving the visitors a glimmer of hope.

That hope was shot when Villa youngster Nathan Delfouneso put his glancing header on target from a Nick Shorey cross in the 61st minute to send Martin O'Neill's side through to the fifth round.