Villa boss Martin O’Neill hailed penalty shoot-out king Brad Guzan’s heroics in the Carling Cup win over Sunderland, insisting: “He was virtually unbeatable”.

The American, understudy to Brad Friedel, 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.

Having already seen Guzan, 25, inspire Villa to spot-kick success against Juventus in the Peace Cup final earlier this year, O’Neill admitted the goalkeeper’s exploits barely surprised him.

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’s been doing it for some time, really. I think he’s going to be a great goalkeeper. He has got everything.

“At this minute Brad Friedel has turned in some fantastic performancess for us – as Brad has done for some quite considerable time. He is approaching 200 consecutive league games, which is terrific.

“But Guzan was immense last night and he was immense pre-season and that performance will have taken his confidence to a new high.

“You got that feeling it would take something special to beat him. He looked really confident. I can pay him no higher compliment than the fact I was almost expecting him to save it.”

O’Neill paid tribute to the 2,000-plus Villa fans who travelled to the north-east – most of them on the 34 free coaches provided by the club.

“It was a great reward for them,” he said. “I also think it was a nice gesture by the football club and the support that we got was not only terrific but it was also really appreciated.”

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.

“I thought it was very harsh indeed,” he added. “I’m not even sure that when it hit him he was in the penalty area. He put his hand up to protect his face.”

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce felt his side deserved more after having the better of the chances at the Stadium of Light.

The former Birmingham manager said: “We had more chances than them but it wasn’t our night.

“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.

“We had chances, the penalty, and Kieran Richardson’s opportunity but we weren’t able to take them. On the plus side, I thought we were excellent.”