The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Proper
1.30pm, Sunday 4 January 2009
Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham FC
Live on ITV
Winning clubs will receive £75,000 from The FABirthday boy James Milner claimed his first two goals since re-signing for Aston Villa to give them a 2-1 victory at the Priestfield Stadium and deny plucky Gillingham a place in The FA Cup Fourth Round draw.
The midfielder, who turns 24 today, opened the scoring on 12 minutes and coolly rolled home a penalty with just 13 minutes to go to ensure the Premier League side progressed after Simeon Jackson had seemingly earned the League Two outfit a replay.
The result was harsh on the hosts though, who matched their more illustrious opponents for long spells as they proved that the magic of The Cup is still alive and well.
But in the end Villa's class told, although Martin O'Neill's men will know they were given a true test by Mark Stimson's enterprising side.
It was a mistake by the home side early on that allowed the top flight outfit to prove just why they are being talked of as top four contenders.
Adam Miller was dispossessed by Stiliyan Petrov in midfield, and Gillingham were left exposed as the midfielder played a fine one-two with Milner before laying the ball back for the England Under-21 international to place an excellent shot from 18 yards into the top corner of Simon Royce's net.
O'Neill celebrated wildly on the touchline, but it was Gillingham who appeared emboldened by the strike rather than their more illustrious opponents.
Dennis Oli shot just the wrong side of the post and the hosts forced a succession of corners and free-kicks as the pressure grew, although their failure to really test Brad Friedel in the Villa goal would have frustrated Stimson.
But when Gillingham did get a clear sight of the American's goal they certainly did not disappoint as Jackson lit up the Priestfield Stadium with a moment of true quality.
There appeared little on when the striker received the ball with his back to goal but he rolled Zat Knight and hared off towards the box.
Cover was closing in, but the 21-year-old took his time before lashing the ball high past Friedel and in off the post to spark scenes of wild celebration.
Always fiercely contested, the game saw a rash of poor tackles that had O'Neill venting his frustration on the touchline, but Gillingham appeared just as likely to get the crucial second as the Premier League side.
But it was a poor tackle from Miller that eventually proved the difference between the sides as he clumsily felled Ashley Young in the box.
Referee Keith Stroud pointed to the spot and Milner confidently fired past Royce to ensure that Villa avoided what could have been a huge upset and booked their place in the last 32.