Martin O'Neill has backed Aston Villa to make the most of their second match at Wembley this season when they play Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.
O'Neill saw his side fight back from two goals down to beat Reading 4-2 in a thrilling quarter-final at the Madejski Stadium yesterday, with striker John Carew netting a second-half hat-trick.
The Villa manager was critical of the state of the playing surface at the national stadium during the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United in the Carling Cup Final, claiming there "was no excuse" for the poor conditions.
But after booking a return trip following a fabulous second-half showing against their Championship hosts, O'Neill admitted his side were ready for another bite.
The surface will have been relaid again before the semi-finals and O'Neill said: "It's great to be back at Wembley again — even on that pitch.
"I didn't enjoy the occasion at all last week, so there is a chance to put that right now."
Villa were staring at an upset when Shane Long's two goals put the Royals in control at the break but from the moment Ashley Young pulled one back within two minutes of the restart, the Premier League side moved through the gears.
Carew scored twice in the space of six minutes to put Villa ahead before the hour mark before capping the win with a penalty in stoppage-time.
Reading boss Brian McDermott praised goalscorer Long, who had sat out the previous four games through suspension following a red card in the fifth-round tie with West Brom.
First he headed in after Matt Mills had flicked on a corner, and the Republic of Ireland international then swept home a second after a fine passing move.
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McDermott said: "Shane scored twice against international defenders and he was first-class throughout. I am very proud of all my players but we must now focus on the League."
