Guzan the hero as Villa beat Black Cats
RESERVE goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved four penalty kicks to help Aston Villa into the Carling Cup fifth round at the expense of Sunderland.
The two sides were locked at 0-0 until American Guzan kept out Kenwyne Jones’ late penalty in normal time to force the extra half hour. He then saved three more penalties as Martin O’Neill’s side went through 3-1 in the shoot-out.
Villa are joined in the last eight by Premier League strugglers Portsmouth, who thrashed Stoke City 4-0 at Fratton Park. French striker Frederic Piquionne was the Pompey hero with two goals, while Danny Webber and Kanu also struck.
Despite an outbreak of swine flu, Blackburn also won after surviving a scare to beat Championship side Peterborough 5-2 at Ewood Park. Chris Whelpdale and George Boyd equalised goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen and Steven Reid for Blackburn before Michel Salgado, Benni McCarthy and a Nicola Kalinic penalty wrapped up victory.