ASTON Villa had to weather a storm of intense pressure at Molineux last night before clinching a place in the third round of the Littlewoods Cup.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg Villa looked set for a comfortable victory after Derek Mountfield had given them a first-half lead.

But a Steve Bull goal 14 minutes from time brought Wolves back into the game and Villa had to defend in depth in the closing stages just as they had in the early part of the match.

In the third minute a 20-yard drive by Mark Venus forced Nigel Spink into a good save but five minutes later in Villa’s first attack Wolves’ goalkeeper Mark Kendall had to do equally as well to save David Platt.

The Villa keeper made a tremendous save from a Steve Bull header in the 12th minute but four minutes later Wolves were caught with a sucker punch.

Gordon Cowans curled in a free kick from the right none of the Wolves’ defenders picked up Derek Mountfield at the far post and the Villa central defender had the simple task of striking the ball into a gaping net.

Two goals behind on aggregate now Wolves hit back but their attack contained less venom.

Dennison shot tamely at Spink in the 20th minute then Wolves shot well wide a minute later then Gooding headed past the post in the 34th minute.

Two minutes later Dennison got the ball in the Villa net but the goal was ruled out as Nigel Vaughan was in an offside position.

Bull got clear in the Villa penalty area two minutes before half-time but fired his shot over the bar.

Wolves continued their search for an equaliser and in the 52nd minute Dennison was unlucky with a 25-yard shot which flashed just wide.

Ten minutes later Villa almost snatched a second goal when substitute Adrian Heath came on in place of Kevin Gage had a low shot saved just inside the post by Kendal.

But Wolves were soon back on the attack and Paskin had a 20-yard shot stopped by Spink in the 65th minute.

Bull was booked for a challenge on Spink five minutes later.

Bull set-up a grand stand finish with a goal 14 minutes from time. He headed home a cross under pressure from Spink whose challenge resulted in a lengthy spell of treatment to the Wolves’ striker.