The midfielder got the Blues off to a perfect start, opening the scoring in the fourth-round replay after the 11-minute mark. Nicolas Jackson doubled our lead soon after, nodding home Malo Gusto’s cross, before Enzo Fernandez put gloss onto the scoreline with a spectacular free-kick after the interval.

The freshly-turned 24-year-old was pleased to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats with Gallagher noting the team’s hunger for a positive result.

‘I think after our last couple of performances everyone was determined to have a good one tonight and it was, and most importantly, it was a win as well,’ he began.

‘There was a lot of hunger and that’s what we need every game. I think before the game you could sense that because the last two games have not been good enough by our standards. Everyone was really up for it and raring to give our fans a good performance and we did.

‘We know how we can play – tonight we showed that. A lot of times this season we haven’t been good enough, but also a lot of times we have been really good against the top teams so we know how good we can be.

‘We’re really buzzing and Villa are a top team so to beat them tonight, and the way we did it, was brilliant so we will take a lot of confidence from that, and hopefully take it into the next game.’

Gallagher was particularly thrilled to open his account in Blue this campaign, and he is hopeful for more goals in the future.

‘It is [a weight off my shoulders] to be fair, finally!’ he smiled.

‘Obviously, I like to score goals and I want to score more. This season I haven’t done so and hopefully I can get a few more.

‘It was nice to get my goal and with it being my first of the season, it was really important to me. I think it helped us gain confidence in the game which helped us win, so I’m really happy.’