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Everton booked an FA Cup quarter-final spot for the first time since 2002 after overpowering Aston Villa.

The home side were ahead after just three minutes when Jack Rodwell fired in from close range.

Villa levelled from the penalty spot through James Milner after Gabriel Agbonlahor was fouled by Tony Hibbert.

But Everton went back in front with a Mikel Arteta spot-kick after Steve Sidwell brought down Victor Anichebe and Tim Cahill added the third late on.

1-0 J.Rodwell 4′

1-1 J.Milner(Pen) 9′

2-1 M.Arteta(Pen) 24′

3-1 T.Cahill 76′

This FA Cup tie had all the makings of a classic after a blistering first 25 minutes which provided three goals and plenty of goalmouth action but it ultimately ebbed away into a comfortable victory for Everton against a Villa side which lacked it’s usual bite.

Everton took the lead in the third minute when Mikel Arteta’s corner was met by a bullet header from Tim Cahill, his effort was stopped on the goal line by the blatant hand of Stiliyan Petrov but rebounded to 17-year-old Jack Rodwell who poked home for his first Everton goal.

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