Aston Villa 3 – 1 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace paid the penalty for poor defending as John Carew’s two late spot-kicks sent Aston Villa through to the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup.

Palace had a 73^rd minute penalty of their own to equalise – after Gabby Agbonlahor’s opener just before half-time – which Darren Ambrose converted.

Just as Palace looked to be getting back into the game, two rash challenges by defender Matthew Lawrence on Carew allowed the Norwegian striker to put the tie beyond doubt.

With Crystal Palace in administration, getting to the quarter-finals would have provided much needed revenue for the cash-strapped club. However, it was Villa that kept alive their chances of appearing in two Wembley cup finals this season.

Villa started brightly but were also largely wasteful with their early chances, with Agbonlahor and Carew both hitting their first shots straight at Palace keeper Julian Speroni.

Claude Davis provided Palace’s first real chance, nodding a Darren Ambrose free-kick wide.

Neil Danns was also wasteful with his attempt from a free kick on the 15 minute mark.

Ashley Young nearly opened the scoring on 21 minutes, with a cross to the near post that nearly crept in but was dealt with well by Speroni, who tipped it out for a corner.

James Milner’s mazy run down the left wing was tracked by Palace’s Alan Lee, who blocked Milner’s cross. In what looked to be a repeat of the controversial decision that allowed Villa to equalise in the first tie, Villa were given a corner – despite Milner getting the last touch.

And just like in the first tie, Villa went on to score from that decision, through Agbonlahor’s header from six yards on 42 minutes, fighting off Shaun Derry to apply the finish.

Palace nearly replied instantly with centre-forward Nick Carle’s 25-yard effort fizzing past the post.

Palace piled on the pressure at the start of the second half; Lee, Ambrose and Carle all squandering decent chances to score.

Nathaniel Clyne was booked on 60 minutes, for pulling back Agbonlahor, who had the chance to run at goal.

Villa stepped up their play after the hour, leading to a good amount of end-to-end football for the best part of 10 minutes.

Ashley Young and Stewart Downing had runs at goal, while Palace’s Neil Danns was unable to apply the finish to a rebound off Richard Dunne, which flew across the goal.

Palace got a slightly fortuitous equaliser when Stephen Warnock brought down Lee in the box. Ambrose stepped up and sent Villa’s penalty hero Brad Guzan the wrong way.

This was Ambrose’s 17^th goal of the season – and it obviously sent the 4000 travelling fans into raptures.

With their fans returning to full voice, Palace looked to make the last 20 minutes as difficult as they could for Villa.

However, their plan was undone on 80 minutes when Lawrence was guilty of shirt-pulling on Carew in the box. Carew thumped home his penalty to put Villa in front.

Lawrence then ended any thoughts of a Palace comeback in the 89th minute, when he brought down Carew in the box, and conceded a second penalty.

Carew’ dispatched his second in the same way as his first to set up a quarter-final tie away at Reading, who beat West Brom in their replay.