Sunderland 0 Villa 0 aet (Villa win 3-1 on pens): Guzan the hero for O'Neill

Stand-in goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved three Sunderland penalties in a shoot-out - having kept out one in normal time as well - to send Aston Villa into the quarter-finals.Jordan Henderson, the teenage prodigy and star performer in a dour goalless tie was one of those denied from the spot after Sunderland had failed to make greater possession count.The home side's best chance fell to Kenwyne Jones on 83 minutes, when Sunderland were awarded a spot-kick for handball by Carlos Cuellar. Hero: Aston Villa players congratulate Brad GuzanReferee Phil Dowd harshly penalised the Spaniard after he had raised hands to block Andy Reid's cross.The decision angered Villa boss O'Neill, who was still remonstrating with theofficials when Jones stepped up to place a weak right-foot shot to Guzan's left, allowing the American to make an easy save.He trumped that moment in the shoot-out, keeping out efforts from Reid, Lorik Cana and Henderson to leave O'Neill thrilled.'Mr Guzan is a great goalkeeper in the making,' said O'Neill. 'Hehas everything and he is as brave as they come. I almost expected himto save those four penalties.' Tough battle: Emile Heskey and Richard Dunne tackle Sunderland's Jordan Henderson Villa could have gone ahead in the third minute when Emile Heskey'sneat back-heel wrong-footed Craig Gordon, only to bounce just wide of apost.Sunderland's best moments revolved around Henderson and he unleashed two shots from distance which threatened Guzan's goal.When Henderson, an impressive product of the Sunderland Academy, didhit the target with a thumping volley just before the break, Guzanproduced a breathtaking save to keep the shot out. Pure delight: Villa are through to the quarter-finals of the Carling CupThere was little to rouse an impressive Villa following, withGabriel Agbonlahor firing his side's best chance straight at Gordon. Inextra-time, a superb saving header from James Collins denied Jones andKieran Richardson's sprint from half-way ended with a tame shot atGuzan's legs.Then came his real heroics. CARLING CUP LIVE: All the action from the fourth round - as it happened Villa ace Agbonlahor happy to silence vile Wolves chants about his motherASTON VILLA FC

Source: Daily_Mail