Martin O'Neill admitted Brad Guzan's match-winning performance at Sunderland last night has given him a selection headache.

Guzan saved four penalties in all at the Stadium of Light - one from Kenwyne Jones towards the end of normal time and three in the shoot-out which followed a goalless 120 minutes - as Villa edged through to the last eight.

The American is currently the understudy to Brad Friedel at club and international level but Guzan's display has given O'Neill food for thought ahead of the weekend clash against Everton in the Barclays Premier League.

He said: "At the minute Brad is there because he has turned in some fabulous displays for us as he has done for some considerable time.

"But Guzan was immense tonight. He was immense in pre-season and that performance will elevate his confidence to new heights."

Villa created little in the way of goalscoring chances with Craig Gordon's only save of note coming from Gabriel Agbonlahor in the second half.

Instead it was Sunderland who did most of the pressing only to be denied by Guzan's brilliance and some woeful finishing.

O'Neill said: "The lads are pretty euphoric, none more so than Mr Guzan.

"He gave a fantastic performance and we are naturally delighted to have got through.
"He has been doing it for some time, I think he is a great keeper in the making.

"He has got everything and he is as brave as they come.

"You got the feeling that it would have to have been something special to beat him tonight.

"He looked really comfortable and I can pay him no higher compliment than to say I almost expected him to make the saves."

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce felt his side deserved better.

He said: "We had more chances than them but it wasn't our night. "We have a lot of disappointed people in there.

"But I thought our overall performance was excellent and in my opinion we deserved to go through.

"Their keeper had one of those nights he will remember for the rest of his career."

Bruce lamented his side's profligacy in front of goal, in particular the penalty miss and a wonderful chance passed up by Kieran Richardson in the closing stages of extra-time.

"We had chances, the penalty, and Kieran's opportunity in the final minute but we weren't able to take them.

"On the plus side I thought we were excellent."