Damion Stewart's thundering close-range header in the 58th minute was enough to seal a fantastic night for Rangers in the Carling Cup.
So often the victims of giant-killings in recent years, the Rs revelled in their role as underdog at Aston Villa last night and came up with the win their fans have craved for many a season.
The 1-0 victory was reward for a superb defensive performance in which the back four all excelled. Stewart and Fitz Hall needed to be at their best early on to repel the threat from the imposing duo John Carew and Marlon Harewood and after weathering the storm, the Rs prospered.
Iain Dowie, who oversaw a giant-killing at Man United last season when he was boss of Coventry City, had another night to savour and will have taken great heart from confirmation that his side can compete with a big top-flight side.
Villa finished sixth last year and have a pedigree in the competition that is matched by boss Martin O'Neill, who lifted the trophy as a player with Nottingham Forest and as a manager at Leicester City
What was also pleasing for Dowie was that his side can play so much better. They did not pass the ball with the crispness that is often their watchword and did not carve out too many chances of their own.
But he will be happy that a mobile Villa were restricted to just a few chances over the 90 minutes and that as the night progressed, his side were able to grow in confidence.
Once in front, they seldom looked like surrendering the advantage - Gareth Barry spurning the one clear opening Villa created 15 minutes from time.
You can read up on the post-match reactions with a fuller report in Friday's Gazette.
