Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill hailed a fantastic performance from goalkeeper Brad Guzan as his Aston Villa side knocked Sunderland out of the Carling Cup.

The American saved four penalties, one at the end of normal time from Kenwyne Jones and three in the shoot-out which followed a goalless 120 minutes, as Villa edged into the last eight.

Guzan is the understudy to Brad Friedel for Villa but he was the key figure at the Stadium of Light.

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.

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

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

The home side had the better chances throughout with Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon only being called into serious action once, to keep out an effort from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

And 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," he added.

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

O'Neill's only gripe from the evening was the penalty award which went against his team in the 83rd minute, Carlos Cuellar harshly adjudged to have handled Andy Reid's cross.

The former Celtic boss felt the contact with Cuellar's hand was unavoidable and also questioned whether the alleged offence had even taken place inside the area.

He added: "The penalty was very harsh and I am not even sure that when it hits his hand it was in the box.

"He has gone up to protect his face."