Brighton 1-4 Derby

Argentine striker Emmanuel Villa scored a hat-trick as Derby eased into the Carling Cup fourth round with victory away at League One Brighton.

The 26-year-old prodded home the opener after Brighton goalkeeper John Sullivan spilled Przemyslaw Kazmierczak's cross.

Dean Leacock played in Nathan Ellington to double Derby's lead, but Tommy Elphick's header reduced the deficit.

Villa headed in the third and sealed a meeting with Leeds in the next round with a neat finish from six yards.

Brighton: Sullivan, Whing, Elphick, Richards, Hawkins (El-Abd 77), Anyinsah, Cox (McLeod 69), Thomson, Thornton, Fleetwood, Murray (Livermore 78).
Subs Not Used: Kuipers, Loft, Robinson, Fraser.

Goals: Elphick 36.

Derby: Carroll, Connolly, Addison, Nyatanga, Leacock (Zadkovich 58), Stewart, Kazmierczak (Teale 66), Green, Commons, Ellington, Villa (Hanson 89).
Subs Not Used: Bywater, Hulse, Sterjovski, Pereplotkins.

Booked: Addison, Nyatanga.

Goals: Villa 28, Ellington 34, Villa 73, 87.

Att: 6,625

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).