VILLA produced a fighting second-half comeback to deny Crewe a piece of FA Cup glory.

The First Division side were staring at an embarrassing Cup exit when they went in at halftime, trailing 2-0.

But manager, Graham Taylor, rang the changes, bringing on Andy Gray and lan Olney to add extra firepower up front, and within 12 minutes of the restart, Villa were level.

David Platt, who joined Villa from Crewe for £200,000 last February. set their revival in motion when he forced the ball home from close-range in the 53rd minute after a Gordon Cowans' corner had been flicked on.

Four minutes later, midfielder, Kevin Gage, equalised when he rifled in a superb half-volley from the edge of the area.

They then ensured their place in the fourth round when Alan Mclnally side-footed the ball into an unguarded net for his 20th goal of the season 13 minutes from time, after Platt had drawn Dean Greygoose from his goal-line.

Crewe were given the scent of an upset when Mark Gardiner gave them a fifth minute lead and Villa defender Martin Keown headed into his own net half an hour later.