Liam Ridgewell highlights Blues' determination

Defender Liam Ridgewell today hailed Birmingham's battling qualities after they knocked Villa out of the Carling Cup to reach the semi-finals.

The 26-year-old centre-back had experienced victory in a Second City derby before while on the books of Villa before he made the switch to St Andrew's in August 2007 for £2m.

Victory was sweet for Ridgewell as it was his first as a Blues player against the claret and blue half of the city. Ridgewell did a fine job of marshalling the defence alongside Roger Johnson at the heart of the Blues back line.

And he admitted it was his side's determination and ability to get their hands dirty which was the key to their victory.

Nikola Zigic's 84th-minute winner looped over Villa keeper Brad Friedel after a deflection off Luke Young to seal Blues' first semi-final appearance in the competition since 2001, when they were beaten by Gerard Houllier's Liverpool in the final.

"It was always going to be a battle, it was never going to be a great game," said Ridgewell. "Most derbies are never great games, but both teams were well up for it. Most goals are scrappy in derby games and that's how it proved last night."

Meanwhile, Blues keeper Ben Foster today admitted Wembley is in his sights as he targeted more cup glory to go alongside an improvement in the Premier League.

Foster has a pedigree in the Carling Cup after he was Manchester United's Wembley hero in the 2009 final as Sir Alex Ferguson's side pulled off a penalty shootout triumph at Wembley.

The £6m summer signing famously used a DVD of Spurs' penalties just before the shootout, courtesy of some astute homework by United's former Villa goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.

And Foster has challenged McLeish's side to continue their excellent cup run after securing a reunion against David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady in the semi-finals.

Foster said: "We've pretty much been concentrating on the league but it's been a fantastic run we've had in the Carling Cup.

"Get through the semi-final and we'll be at Wembley. For a team like Birmingham, that would be a fantastic achievement. In cup football, anyone can cause big upsets and hopefully we can keep doing it."