Mail ratings -
Matija Sarkic - 7
The goalkeeper only had a few crosses to claim before a frenetic finale. He was beaten by Benalouane, but had little chance in truth, before he brought down Muskwe. The referee gave a penalty before reversing his decision and awarding a free-kick, which Sarkic saved.
One crucial save in stoppage time took the game to extra-time and Hepburn-Murphy did the rest.
Isaiah Bazeley-Graham - 8
MacDonald’s decision to pick the youth team right-back ahead of Oscar Borg says a lot. As it happens, Bazeley-Graham was excellent on the night and assisted Hepburn-Murphy with a brilliant pass in behind Benalouane.
Bazeley-Graham continues to do his chances of forging a professional career at Villa Park no harm at all.
Easah Suliman - 8
Suliman barely put a foot wrong all evening. The England under-20 international defended resolutely and talked a youthful Villa backline through the match.
Jacob Bedeau - 9
Bedeau was rested as Villa went down to Norwich on Monday and that now looks an inspired decision. The centre-back, a £900,000 signing from Bury a year ago, has been outstanding this season and he was a class above again tonight.
Not only did he possess the physical qualities to deal with Leicester’s feared attack, he played with the composure and class MacDonald demands.
Mitch Clark - 8.5
A typically no nonsense, solid showing from the youngster who was again asked to play left-back.
Clark has been one of Villa’s standout performers this season and he’s competent in three positions.
He got forward and supported his winger well before switching back to right-back in extra-time.
Jordan Lyden - 8
A captain’s display from Villa’s most experienced head. Lyden sat just in front of Villa’s back four and won everything. He headed, tackled and kicked Foxes players when he needed to.
Jake Doyle-Hayes - 8.5
Doyle-Hayes was cool as ever in the heat of battle. He extended his brilliance for an extra 30 minutes tonight.
Villa and Republic of Ireland have one hell of a player on their hands.
Jack Clarke - 8.5
Clarke is a lovely footballer. He’s one of the most technically sound members of Villa’s U23s and one of the best performers - but he rarely grabs the headlines.
He almost did tonight, though! He played a part in the build-up to the goal before stretching at the far post to fire home Blackett-Taylor’s cross.
Aside from the goal, he harried and competed physically with a Leicester side who were incredibly imposing.
Callum O’Hare - 8.5
O’Hare played a key part in Villa taking the lead as he drifted in from the left. Had O’Hare not been cynically tripped by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall late on in normal time he would have been able to set Hepburn-Murphy away to win it.
He could have grabbed himself a goal in the second half of extra-time as Leicester flooded forward in search of an equaliser but he was forced to play the supporting role tonight.
Corey Blackett-Taylor - 8.5
A brilliant cross for Clarke’s opener set up a fantastic evening for the U23s. He’s got pace and power in abundance and we saw the very best Corey Blackett-Taylor tonight.
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy - 9*
A stunning brace might have been three, four or five - not that it matters with the striker firing the decisive goals to put Villa into the PL Cup final.
His incredible scoring streak since returning from injury in January isn’t going unnoticed. It’s a matter of when Hepburn-Murphy makes the first team breakthrough, not if.
