The Villa boss, under pressure after a run of seven defeats in nine games, saw his side ease through 3-1 despite some nervous moments at Bramall Lane. Kyle Walker, making his Villa debut against his first club, scored his first career goal before Marc Albrighton's volley make it 2-0 to the visitors at half-time. The second half was a different affair however and Jamie Ward brought the Blades back into it from the spot and they had several chances after Ashley Young's dismissal before Stiliyan Petrov's late strike wrapped up the result. Houllier said: "It was a typical cup-tie where at times we could play football, at times where we had to withstand the pressure and defend. "Probably the game could have been put to bed a bit earlier but the third goal was a good relief at the end. "All the players were terrific today - it was not easy. We haven't had the results we wanted in the league and it's never easy away at Sheffield United." Houllier insisted that even if Villa had been defeated it would not have affected his position. He added: "I don't think whatever happened there would have been any major change. I don't think anything would have happened really." Walker's goal was a minor classic - he picked up the ball just inside the Blades' half and beat two challengers before finishing coolly. Houllier added: "He had a fantastic debut, his goal was full of composure and it was a moment of individual brilliance, a solo performance. "I knew I had signed a specialist for the [right-back] position but what I like is that he can play football too." Sheffield United manager Micky Adams gave credit to his side for their fightback in what was only his third game in charge. He said: "We have got to be pleased that we lost the game with our boots on rather than rolled over and let it be a walkover. In the second half we were terrific. "I told the boys at half-time that Villa will be thinking the game's won and what we needed to was get a bit closer to them and squeeze up and it worked. "It's natural for defenders to drop off and not get too close because pace can be a problem but the first goal disappointed me. He ran an awful long way and no one has come and confronted him. "We just can't giving teams goal starts." Adams' injury problems are so acute that he only named six substitutes rather than the permitted seven. He added: "I'm aware we're need strengthening - I only name six subs and four of those were youth trainee boys. We need reinforcements."
