BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill hailed captain fantastic Robbie Blake as the catalyst for last night's stunning Carling Cup victory over Aston Villa.

The Clarets dumped David O'Leary's Premiership side out of the competition 3-1 thanks to an early Graham Branch header, Mo Camara's first goal in English football and Jean Louis Valois' debut strike for the club.

And after insisting he was proud of his team's efforts, Cotterill singled Blake out for special praise following a blistering return to form for the Burnley striker, whose only blemish was seeing a second half penalty brilliantly saved by Thomas Sorensen.

"I am really proud of my team," beamed the Clarets chief.

"Mo and Jean Louis picked great moments to score their first goals for the club, but the catalyst for me was Robbie Blake.

"He didn't score his penalty and he hasn't been at his best in the last two games, but last night he really gave me a captain's performance and everyone else followed."

Blake, who was a constant thorn in the Villa side, instigated the opening goal for Branch and then helped create the two crucial second half strikes that could now land Burnley a lucrative fourth round tie in tonight's draw, which is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Two at around 10.15pm.

Cotterill added: "I am delighted for all of the players and also our supporters because we needed to put on that show for them.

"It was good for us to not only put in a result, but also a performance because in our last two home games we haven't really performed.

"Aston Villa are a good, hard working side and I just think it's a credit to our boys that we put in that performance.

"I haven't really thought about the draw, but you usually want some of the big clubs to get knocked out and then the longer you stay in the competition, you never know.

"But I suppose now I want either a home game on Sky or a Premiership club away from home at a big ground that they fill.

"I don't mind who it is really because it's all great revenue for the club."

Skipper Blake added: "It was a fantastic performance from the lads and sometimes games come along where you do everything right, not just as an individual but as a team.

"Everyone was excellent. We were outstanding!"

Burnley reserves travel to Shrewsbury today, 2pm.