However, the result was far from being as clear-cut as the scoreline suggested. Doncaster provided some stern opposition but went out of the Cup as a result of a two-goal blast from Steve Sidwell and John Carew in the space of four first-half minutes.
They gallantly attempted to repair the damage and provided some skilful football which enabled them to trouble a makeshift Villa side for several spells of the tie.
Villa may be fourth in the Premier League table, but fourth from bottom Championship side Doncaster more than held their own.
Surprisingly Villa, who have won more away games than at home, made seven changes from the side involved in a goalless home draw with Wigan.
But the return of Ashley Young, who was made captain for the night, proved to be a welcome ray of sunshine.
His inspirational play has been visibly missing following his suspension and he made a big impact putting Doncaster's defence under considerable pressure from which they wilted when they conceded two goals in the space of four minutes.
On the big Villa Park stage, Doncaster were given ample opportunity to display their skill but they had no answer to Villa's smart finishing.
The opening goal from Sidwell in the 15th minute, however, still came as a surprise as there appeared to be little danger. Doncaster's veteran goalkeeper, Neil Sullivan, failed to hold Craig Gardner's shot and the alert Sidwell was on hand to pop the ball home from close range.
Worse was to follow for Rovers as they found themselves two goals in arrears when an optimistic shot by Carew, making his first start in three months, took a deflection off Sam Hird and dipped wickedly over the head of Sullivan.
To their credit Doncaster commendably attempted to take the game to Villa with Luke Young cutting out a goalbound shot by striker Jason Price.
They were obviously boosted by this attempt and hit Villa with several smart attacks and seconds before half-time they deservedly pulled a goal back when Price guided in a shot following a low pass from James Coppinger.
The goal certainly gave Doncaster fresh hope. Urged on by their 4,000 fans they went close to an equaliser when skipper Brian Stock whipped in a rising drive which goalkeeper Brad Guzan pushed around the post.
Unfortunately they were deflated in the 61st minute when Villa's teenage striker, Nathan Delfouneso, notched his third goal of the season with a delicate glancing header from Nicky Shorey's cross.
Doncaster tried a last throw of the dice when they made a triple change sending on Lewis Guy, Paul Heffernan and former Villa striker, Darren Byfield, but it was to no avail as Villa booked their place in the fifth round.