Aston Villa strolled through to the quarter finals of the League Cup at Villa Park last night with this six goal hammering of their Fourth Division opponents.

Chico Hamilton scored the first two goals before the interval and Brian Little, celebrating his 21st birthday, added two more in an entertaining second half before presenting Ray Graydon with a fifth near the end.

Graydon completed the agony with a penalty a minute from time after he had been pushed off the ball in the area by full-back Jimmy Shoulder.

Alan Gouden did score a neat goal for Hartlepool after 66 minutes to save their blushes somewhat but they were never in the same class.

Villa now face Third Division Colchester and must have high hopes of reaching the semi-finals to continue manager Ron Saunders’s remarkable record in the League Cup.

Saunders guided Norwich and Manchester City through to the final in successive years and must have every chance of a hat-trick of Wembley appearances.

There was never any danger of a David versus Goliath upset from the moment Hamilton scored from the penalty spot after just six minutes.

Brian Little was tripped by George Porter after the defender had made a dreadful blunder from a throw-in and Hamilton drove the ball into the roof of the net.

Hamilton put Villa two up four minutes before the interval after Brian Little had inspired the move with a cunning dart and header into the goal-mouth.

From just inside the area Hamilton made no mistake with a fierce right foot shot.

Hartlepool. who had earlier worked and fought with tremendous spirit had no answer to Villa’s possession football and the floodgates really opened In the second half as Little raced through after 52 minutes to score a superb goal.

lan Ross had headed out from his penalty area for Graydon to send a brilliant through ball to the birthday striker.

After 62 minutes Alan Little was substituted by Alun Evans and Gauden scored his surprise goal shortly afterwards shooting through a ruck of players after a left-wing corner from Mike Spelman.

This goal only served to produce even better football from Villa and Evans pushed Charlie Aitken forward up the left wing for the full-back to send a high centre wide to Graydon on the right who headed across for Little to grab his second goal after 77 minutes.

Five minutes later Graydon moved off his 13-goal mark for the season when he scored after a quick throw-in by Little. Graydon then scored his 15th goal of the season and his fourth penalty when he converted from the spot a minute from time after he had been fouled in the area.