Gareth Barry’s deflected strike was enough to give Aston Villa a deserved FA Cup third-round win at Hull.

Barry’s shot struck Leon Cort on its way past Boaz Myhill, who saved from James Milner, Steve Davis and Lee Hendrie during the match.

Juan Pablo Angel was harshly adjudged to be flagged offside after putting the ball in the net, while a challenge from Barry might have cost Villa a penalty.

Hendrie cleared off the line for Villa, while Stuart Elliott headed wide.

But in truth Villa, having slipped up at nearby Doncaster in the Carling Cup, rarely appeared to be anything other than in control at the KC Stadium.

The match opened promisingly for the home team, who won a free-kick in an attacking position and looked to capitalise on Jason Price’s aerial threat.

But once Villa got going, their crisp passing and movement opened up Hull, who defended too deep and did not close down fast enough.

And Tigers boss Peter Taylor will be disappointed with the amount of respect his team showed their Premiership opponents, particularly in the first half.

Milner shot wide from the edge of the area, while Myhill saved a crisp volley from Lee Hendrie and tipped over a long-range strike from Davis.

Villa had the ball in the net after 15 minutes, Angel collecting a pass from the impressive Milner before finishing from eight yards.

The goal was ruled out for offside - presumably because the linesman thought Hendrie had touched Milner’s pass whereas the midfielder had executed a neat stepover.

Hull had few first-half opportunities but did have a strong penalty appeal turned down a minutes after Angel’s disallowed goal when Barry appeared to haul Price to the ground.

And just before the half-time whistle a deep cross caused Villa problems - Olof Mellberg only headed as far as Craig Fagan, whose close-range shot was smothered by Thomas Sorensen.

Taylor introduced Northern Ireland international Elliott at the start of the second half to try and introduce a cutting edge to his side.

And the Tigers did create more problems for Villa.

The ball broke to a completely unmarked Price but he dallied too long and his near-post shot was comfortably saved, while a Leon Cort header was cleared off the line by Hendrie.

But Villa continued to threaten - a Moore shot deflecting off Cort, who was later accused of handling inside his own penalty area.

And the visitors’ pressure eventually told when Barry’s deflected strike eluded Myhill.

Hull had a glorious chance to equalise, but Elliott’s thumping header from Ryan France’s cross flew wide of Sorensen’s goal with the keeper stranded.