Ricky Ravenhill column

Just when you think our cup run has got to end, it keeps on going.

We more than deserved to beat Aston Villa, although I think they gave us far too much space to attack.

Paul Lambert had obviously watched the Arsenal game and probably thought we would put everyone behind the ball. So they used all their attacking players to try and break us down but that left plenty of room for us to exploit.

It’s been frustrating in the last few league games when we’ve been creating chances that haven’t gone in.

But Tuesday proved it was nothing more than a little blip and we have more than enough firepower within the team.

People talk about the front two causing problems and looking dangerous but to have the centre halves chipping in as well was a massive help.

Carl McHugh has been fantastic. He came in during the summer on trial and earned a short-term contract and it’s gone on from there.

I don’t think he could have ever imagined his first season to be like this.

A result like that doesn’t really sink in when you’re there. It’s only after watching the game back on TV that you realise what we’ve achieved.

We’ve proved it’s not a one off. Villa were the third Premier League team that we’ve beaten now, so it’s obviously not luck.

It’s probably still advantage Villa. People can get carried away with how well we are doing in the cup but you see some of the results on Match of the Day every week and they could easily bang in four, five or six goals.

They have some brilliant players, N’Zogbia showed touches of his class and Benteke and Bent on their day can be lethal in front of goal.

We’ve still got a massive job to do but having the advantage does even it up.

It would be nice if we could score first at Villa Park, that really would be game on then. But the onus isn’t on us to go out and chase goals.

Everything is in the balance and I’m sure the fans who travel down there and those watching at home will see a real classic.