Bradford became the first fourth-tier club to reach the League Cup final for 51 years as they stunned Premier League strugglers Aston Villa with a 4-3 aggregate victory last night.

Aston Villa were unable to claw back the 3-1 deficit from the first leg of the League Cup encounter even though leading scorer Christian Benteke put them in front before half-time.

James Hanson’s headed effort early in the second period effectively killed off the tie and Villa substitute Andreas Weimann’s last-gasp goal secured a 2-1 win on the night but it was too little, too late.

The final whistle was the cue for wild scenes of delight from Bradford manager Phil Parkinson and his players who had overcome Arsenal in the previous round.

His side will now take on either Swansea or Chelsea at Wembley at the end of February.

The only other club from the bottom division to reach the final was Rochdale in 1962, when the competition was in its infancy and many of the leading sides did not participate.

For Villa it was a massive blow to take in a season where they have become embroiled in a relegation battle.

Manager Paul Lambert’s ability to pick up his players following this hammer blow will be put to test after the semi-final draw appeared to be an open invitation to repeat their 2010 Wembley appearance.

Villa had enough opportunities in the opening half-hour to have at least got back on level terms, with Charles N’Zogbia in inspired form and testing the Bantams defence.

But Bradford managed to survive to the interval with their aggregate lead still intact – and how Hanson made them pay for their ineptitude at defending set-pieces.

Playing today: 20.45 Swansea vs Chelsea.