Neville Williams/Getty ImagesDarren Bent kickstarted the Aston Villa comeback win over Ipswich with a goal in the 46th minute.

Safely through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, even if it wasn't exactly a straightforward passage past a spirited Ipswich side that took the lead at Villa Park and gave the hosts one or two nervy moments.

- Match report: Aston Villa 2-1 Ipswich

A comeback Villa victory after having trailed to Michael Chopra's opener (which owed heavily to a deflection off Eric Lichaj) would have cheered a rather downcast home crowd who have been more familiar of late with defeat. Goals from Darren Bent, and substitute Andreas Weimann, capped a second half resurgence, but result aside, it was the sight of some near-forgotten names which will have had many Villains feeling better about the team's prospects in the coming weeks.

Bent and Charles N'Zogbia were deemed fit enough to start games for the first time in several weeks, while Gabriel Agbonlahor occupied a place on the bench, entering the action on the hour mark. The trio have experienced mixed seasons so far, with the former two struggling with nagging injuries and failing to impress manager Paul Lambert, while Agbonlahor, a more regular choice when available, has also had his campaign interrupted by a couple of spells on the treatment table.

While Bent did very little to deserve being so comprehensively and controversially dropped from the squad prior to injuring his hamstring against Norwich in December, N'Zogbia has done very little, this season, to warrant a place in the starting line-up. It's perhaps fairer to say that injuries, competition for places, and fluctuating formations have limited his opportunities.

But there can be no denying two things: that N'Zogbia has masses of raw talent, much of which has yet to be seen at Villa. And that, for Lambert, being able to re-introduce such a gifted attacking trio into the team at this stage of the season, and after such recent heavy defeats, is a significant boost and perfectly timed.

Lambert went back to basics somewhat against Ipswich, picking a conventional 4-4-2 after weeks of three at the back, wing-backs, structured midfield formations. To take on the Championship side, it was two central midfielders (Barry Bannan and Fabian Delph) with two out-and-out wingers on either side in Marc Albrighton and N'Zogbia. Bent partnered up with Jordan Bowery up front, the youngster making his first start for Villa.

Nathan Baker, contrary to comments from Lambert in his press conference just 24 hours prior, was also fit to return and partner with Ciaran Clark at centre-back. The returning players allowed the manager to rest a handful of his squad who featured extensively throughout the festive period -- Matt Lowton, Chris Herd and Brett Holman dropped out of the squad altogether, while Weimann and his regular strike partner Christian Benteke began on the bench. It was important breathing space for key players ahead of Tuesday night's League Cup semifinal first leg at Bradford.

Villa weren't entirely convincing, and perhaps should have made more of possession enjoyed and chances created, while Shay Given, as expected in for Brad Guzan, made one or two sharp saves. But it was pleasing to see N'Zogbia create the equaliser for Bent -- two players who have been in the shadows too often this season combining to bring Villa level. It shouldn't be forgotten that the club invested just under 30 million pounds in this pair. It's inconceivable that they haven't got something to offer Villa at this point in time.

From that moment on, Villa dominated though it took Weimann's late header to finish off Ipswich. Credit to Joseph Bennett, who was excellent throughout the match and produced the cross for the Austrian to continue a good recent run of form.

Result achieved and job done. Next up: a Bradford side who can expect a Villa squad in far more confident mood than a week ago.

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