Tim Sherwood watched from the stands as his new side Aston Villa overcame fellow Premier League strugglers Leicester City 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup this afternoon.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, but the clearest openings fell Leicester's way and twice they were inches from breaking the deadlock.

In the 11th minute, Marcin Wasilewski flicked a header from Matty James's corner against the post before James himself was denied by Shay Given's fingertip save shortly after the half-hour mark.

At the other end, Christian Benteke smashed home just before half time, but Villa failed to break their 11-game streak without a first-half goal as he was flagged offside.

There was more intensity about Villa in the second half and they should have gone in front two minutes after the restart when Fabian Delph mistimed a free header and directed it over the bar.

The opening goal arrived midway through the second half when Leandro Bacuna, who was about to be substituted, shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled into the far corner past Mark Schwarzer.

Villa had chances to put the game to bed on the counter-attack, but they were almost pegged back when Riyad Mahrez forced a double save from Given.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 89th minute through Scott Sinclair, who replaced Bacuna and netted his first goal for Villa with a low shot that Schwarzer helped into the goal.

Leicester made it a nervy finish for Villa when Andrej Kramaric scored his second goal in as many games with a well-directed header from Jeffrey Schlupp's cross.

The Foxes lumped the ball forward hoping for one last chance, but they were unable to force a replay as seven-time winners Villa advance to the last eight under the guidance of caretaker boss Scott Marshall.