LONDON (AP) — Fourth-tier Bradford pulled off another major surprise in England's League Cup, beating Aston Villa 3-1 in the first leg of their semifinal to move one step from the club's first major final since 1911.
After defeating Arsenal on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals, Bradford took a 2-0 lead against Aston Villa on goals by Nahki Wells in the 19th minute and Rory McArdle in the 77th.
Andreas Weimann gave the visitors from the Premier League a valuable away goal in the 83rd, and Bradford extended its margin in the home-and-home, total-goals series when Carl McHugh beat goalkeeper Shay Given with a header in the 89th.
The second leg is at Villa Park on Jan. 22.
Bradford's only major trophy is the 1911 FA Cup.
