Benito Carbone proved a hero then almost turned villain as Aston Villa won through to a semi-final date with First Division Bolton at Goodison Park.

The diminutive Italian, who scored a hat-trick in the previous round against Leeds, pounced in the dying moments of the first half to score the winner in Villa's 2-1 win.

But the former Sheffield Wednesday man ruined his own individual display with two acts of petulance to force referee Dermot Gallagher to dismiss him in the final minute of the game.

Steve Stone had given Villa the lead after 16 minutes after an error by Thomas Myhre.

But the Norwegian goalkeeper atoned for the mistake by beginning the move which culminated in Joe-Max Moore's equaliser four minutes later - although England new boy Gareth Barry will not enjoy seeing a repeat after his miskick allowed the American through.

But Carbone returned to haunt Everton almost a year after plunging the club into a close shave with relegation last April.

Carbone scored twice for Wednesday to sink the Blues into the bottom three as the Owls secured their top-flight status.

Carbone - ironically in blue boots - struck in the dying moments of the first period after Paul Merson had forced a good save from Myhre.

But every genius has a dark side, or so we are told, and Carbone was sent off for a second bookable offence after kicking the ball away in the last throes of Villa's win.

Everton enjoyed the greater territorial advantage in the first half and appeared to be denied two penalties as balls from Abel Xavier into the area hit the arms of Barry and Mark Delaney.

But Everton's failure to create any real goalscoring opportunities cost them dear as Villa opened the scoring after 16 minutes.

Paul Merson charged into the area from the left side forcing John Collins into a challenge to put the ball out for a corner.

Merson played a one-two with Carbone before firing a cross to the far post where Ugo Ehiogu was waiting.

The defender headed the ball back into the danger area where Stone hurled himself forward to reach the ball. The header appeared innocuous enough but seemed to hit goalkeeper Myhre in the face and bounced beyond the Norwegian.

The home crowd were stunned after their team had looked comfortable. But Myhre atoned for his error four minutes later when he turned provider for the Everton equaliser.

His long punt upfield was flicked on by Kevin Campbell. Barry, recently awarded for recent fine performances with an England call-up, controlled the ball on his thigh but completely missed the clearance kick.

Moore was swiftest to react and lobbed the ball over Peter Enckelman in the Villa goal.

Steve Stone valiantly attempted to clear from under his own crossbar but referee Dermot Gallagher had no hesitation in awarding the goal.

George Boateng became the first man in the book after 31 minutes when he fouled Don Hutchison. But as Everton continued to press, the shadow of Carbone was about to haunt them again.

Julian Joachim played an excellent ball to Merson in the left-hand channel. The recently retired international danced around David Weir before trying to curl the ball around Myhre.

The Norwegian could only push the ball away and straight into Carbone's path.

With the goal at his mercy and half-time beckoning, the Italian calmly stroked the ball home.

Never a man to play by the rules, Villa manager John Gregory shocked the crowd by withdrawing an uninjured Merson from the game at half time for Ian Taylor.

But Carbone was prepared to add to the score without his team-mate with a curling 20-yard shot which drifted inches wide.

Campbell could have restored parity but his header from Weir's cross flashed wide.

Carbone showed his dark side early in the second period when he was cautioned for kicking the ball away. Xavier joined the Italian in the book for late challenge on Boateng before he was substituted by boss Walter Smith in favour of striker Francis Jeffers.

Smith clearly felt his wing-back combination was failing and withdrew Mark Pembridge for yet another striker Danny Cadamarteri after 76 minutes.

Everton had played their final striking card but it was defender Weir who missed a great chance when he headed Nick Barmby's 78th-minute corner into the arms of Enckelman.

Carbone then brilliantly flicked the ball past Weir for Taylor to chase. The midfielder returned the favour to set the Italian clear. But Myhre stretched out his right arm to deny the Villa star.

Cadamarteri almost turned provider with five minutes remaining. The youngster tricked his way past Alan Wright before sending over a great cross to the edge of the area.

Richard Gough struck the ball first time but could not believe his bad luck as the ball cannoned off the post and off a Villa leg for a corner.

David Unsworth was lucky not to be dismissed in the 88th minute when he raised his hand to Carbone, receiving just a caution for the challenge.

But what should have been a day of joy for Carbone turned sour as he received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away as Unsworth prepared to take a free-kick in the final minute.

Teams

Everton:Myhre, Pembridge (Cadamarteri 75), Unsworth, Gough, Weir, Xavier (Jeffers 64), Barmby, Collins, Hutchison, Moore, Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Ball, Dunne, Simonsen.

Booked: Xavier, Unsworth.

Goals: Moore 20.

Aston Villa: Enckelman, Delaney, Ehiogu, Barry, Southgate, Wright, Merson (Taylor 46), Boateng, Stone, Carbone, Joachim.

Subs Not Used: Watson, Cutler, Hendrie, Walker.

Sent Off: Carbone (89).

Booked: Boateng, Carbone, Stone.

Goals: Stone 16, Carbone 45.

Att: 35,331

Ref: D Gallagher (Banbury).