Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham 2 Aston Villa 1: Nikola Zigic leaves it late as hosts book semi-final place
Beanpole striker Nikola Zigic made a big impression with the late winner that swept Birmingham into the semi-finals at the expense of bitter rivals Aston Villa. [LNB]The 6ft 8in Zigic has been lampoonedfor his ungainly appearance since arriving here four months ago. Butlast night the Serbia striker walked tall for McLeish as the managermarked his third anniversary in charge with a victory that will becelebrated long after this competition is decided. [LNB]With six minutes left, Zigic wrotehimself into Second City folklore. He met Cameron Jerome's low centreand the ball looped up off Villa full back Luke Young and into the net,with Brad Friedel flapping hopelessly. [LNB]Birmingham had moved into the last four of a cup competition for the first time in nine years. [LNB] Up for the cup: Towering Serbian striker Nikola Zigic fires in a late winner to book Birmingham's place in the semi-final[LNB][LNB]MATCH STATSBIRMINGHAM (4-4-2): Foster 6; Carr 7, Johnson 6, Dann 6, Ridgewell 6; Larsson 8 (Murphy 88min), Ferguson 7, Bowyer 7 (Gardner 65, 7), Fahey 6; Zigic 7 (Derbyshire 90), Jerome 7. Subs not used: Taylor, Michel, Beausejour, Jiranek. Booked: Dann, Carr. [LNB]ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel 5; L Young 7, Dunne 6, Collins 6, Warnock 6 (Delfouneso 90); Bannan 6 (Ireland 72, 6), Clark 6, Hogg 6 (Pires 90), Downing 7; A Young 6, Agbonlahor 7. Subs not used: Guzan, Carew, Cuellar, Lichaj. Booked: Hogg, A Young, Collins. [LNB]Man of the match: Sebastian Larsson.[LNB]Referee: Chris Foy 6.[LNB]McLeish put his reputation on theline by paying £6million for Zigic from Valencia in the summer. Threegoals so far is not the return he was looking for and McLeish said:'He's an awkward-looking, big lad. He's trying hard to adjust to thePremier League and it's hard for him. [LNB]'It's difficult at the age of 29when you have been used to a slow, technical build-up in Spain. It'scrash bang-wallop here. He has to get more aggressive and we have seensigns of that. I was just about to give him the hook when he scored. [LNB]'He was out on his feet but he has come good for us and hopefully he has won a few friends.' [LNB]Jerome's persistence in the 12thminute had sparked this tie into life. He found Lee Bowyer with a shortpass and Richard Dunne barged into the veteran midfielder penalty. [LNB]Zigic motioned for the ball, but SebLarsson was strong in keeping it away from his colleague. And confidentfrom the spot, too, sending Friedel the wrong way. [LNB] [LNB] Spot on: Sebastian Larsson steps up to put Birmingham ahead in the first half[LNB]Fifteen minutes later came theincident that could have shaped this tie. Roger Johnson's header wascleared to Zigic, whose shot went straight at Friedel. The Americanfumbled the ball and it clearly crossed the line. [LNB]Assistant referee Darren Cann raisedhis flag, but only to give a dubious offside against Liam Ridgewell.McLeish said: 'I spoke to the officials and they thought Ridgewell wasin the goalkeeper's eye-line. I disagreed, but there was no ranting andraving.' [LNB] [LNB] Walk away: Referee Chris Foy rejects strong protests from the Birmingham players after he dissallowed a goal[LNB][LNB]Shortly after, Ashley Young foundJonathan Hogg infield and his ball picked out Gabby Agbonlahor withonly Bowyer for company. His turn and shot defeated both the Birminghammidfielder and Ben Foster.[LNB]In the second half, the clearestopening fell to Villa sub Stephen Ireland, who brought a superbright-handed stop from Foster and the value of that save was seen sixminutes from time. [LNB] [LNB] Fight back: Agbonlahor's well-worked equaliser for Villa appeared to be taking the game into extra time[LNB][LNB]'We're stunned,' said Villa bossGerard Houllier. 'We felt we were the better team overall. We arelacking goals but we can't score three goals in every game.' [LNB]The semi-final draw reunitesBirmingham with former owners David Sullivan and David Gold, the menwho appointed McLeish at St Andrew's. This could make his season, butit could break Houllier's. After this setback, hishoneymoon is definitely over. [LNB] [LNB] Dann and Johnson... Say hello to Birmingham's odd coupleAgbonlahor warned about flexing his muscle by Aston Villa boss HoullierMcLeish up for the Carling Cup... but not if Birmingham are going downASTON VILLA FC
