F***ing hell. I just can't believe it...

...Uttered Micah Richards in his post game interview with the BBC's Garth Crooks and summed up the feelings of most City fans out there.

Consigned to yet another disappointing FA Cup exit - made even more frustrating given our dominance of the game (particularly in the first half), the impressive Richards rose deep into injury time to give us another shot at progressing to the quarter-finals.

Belying our recent away woes, we turned in a superb and dominating first half performance, creating a number of chances which would have killed the game off. Vassell sliced a shot wide early on in the game before the impressive Samaras went close following a run from deep, testing Sorensen well. Vassell then wasted a couple of gilt-edged chances, choosing the wrong option with only Sorensen to beat. It was a shame he looked hesitant and indecisive in front of goal as his link up play with Samaras and runs from deep were of high quality.

What was also key was how our makeshift midfield performed, with Sibierski solid on the right in relief of Trevor Sinclair, Musampa having his most influential game in the centre and Riera looking a potent attacking threat on the left, displaying good pace and an ability to beat his man.

Villa looked sharper in the second and attacked with greater purpose but still failed to trouble David James until a quality strike from Baros against the run of play gave Villa the advantage with a quarter of an hour left. We pressed hard, but as injury time came and went it appeared to be to no avail - until the last gasp corner when Micah Richards introduced himself to a nationwide audience.

Match reports:
Times
Guardian
Aston Villa blog