Herd started at right-back for a weakened Villans side who had to wait until the 80th minute to break the deadlock through Eric Lichaj before Nathan Delfouneso added a second late on.

However, the Australian almost got Villa off to the best start when the flashed a header wide from Barry Bannan's deep free-kick in the early stages.

Herd also sent a header way over the bar midway through the first-half as Villa struggled to find the breakthrough.

Indeed, the home crowd's patience was tested until Lichaj's late intervention.

Herd, who made six first-team appearances last season, was replaced on 87 minutes, while Shane Lowry was an unused sub.

Elsewhere, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff netted an early own goal but it didn't sour a super night as League Two club Shrewsbury stunned Premier League outfit Swansea City 3-1.