Geordie Boy Steve Stone threatened to put an early end to Bobby Robson's dream of a trip to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 12.

The lifelong Magpie fan stunned 35,000-plus fellow Tynesiders - including around a dozen of his own family - into silence in the second half when he fired Villa into the lead after former St James' Park favourite David Ginola had shown his skill on the left.

Only a piece of Peruvian magic conjured from the wand of Nolberto Solano spared Newcastle's blushes in a display which lacked the spirit that has epitomised their recent home form against Leeds United and Manchester United.

Newcastle and Villa, boasting 13 final wins between them, have been more used to Wembley defeats in recent years, and both were looking to launch another extended cup run.

The home side started brightly with Kieron Dyer quickly putting the after-effects of his midweek sending off behind him, with his intelligent running giving Villa defenders a troubled opening.

But the first clear-cut chance fell to John Gregory's men in the tenth minute when the ever- dangerous Paul Merson crossed from the right to give Dion Dublin a sniff of goal.

Holding off the challenge of Aaron Hughes, Dublin planted a firm header goalward, which Steve Harper turned past the post superbly.

Just after the quarter hour Shola Ameobi earned a free kick after drawing a trip from Steve Staunton on the right of the box.

Alain Goma got on the end of Solano's ball but couldn't direct his effort goalwards. Villa continued to trouble Newcastle on the break but the home side were still creating chances.

Christian Bassedas did well to hold off challenges from Alan Wright and Steve Saunton in the 22nd minute but his through-ball to Ameobi came to nothing.

A minute later Ameobi turned supplier, feeding Dyer in the box, but the midfielder couldn't decide whether to shoot or pass and the chance was gone.

The biggest cheer of the half was reserved for former Magpie idol Ginola. The Frenchman who refuses to be far from the action in games against his former club was clattered by Andy Griffin in the 25th minute and the defender deservedly received a yellow card.

On the half-hour Newcastle were forced to rearrange after Speed left the field suffering the effects of a virus to be replaced by Cordone.

The change appeared to affect Newcastle who lost their shape, and began increasingly to rely on Dyer's strong running.

Villa began the second half sensing a victory was on the cards and after trying his luck on the right Ginola reverted to the left with immediate results.

After 54 minutes a back-heel into the path of Gareth Barry was met with an instant swinging cross.

Gateshead-born Stone ghosted in on the blind side of Warren Barton and calmly stroked the ball past Steve Harper.

The only way forward for Newcastle appeared to be through the inspiration of Dyer and ten minutes later he gave Amoebi the chance to open his first team account, but the teenager's effort from the edge of the box hit the post.

Soon afterwards Bobby Robson decided the tie was slipping away and introduced Lomana Lualua and Stephen Glass as his last throw of the dice.

The effect was almost immediate when Glass floated a through-ball to Dyer, who was tripped on the edge of the box.

Solano's floated free kick just cleared the Villa bar with David James scrambling across his line.

Ginola left the fray in the 75th minute as Villa looked to settle for their lead until Solano decided otherwise. His quick free kick was floated in by Glass and as the ball was cleared to the edge of the box the Peruvian fired the ball into the bottom corner.

A late header by Dublin and an effort by Darius Vassell could have settled it in Villa's favour but Newcastle were more than happy to settle for a return trip a week on Wednesday, minus the suspended Solano and Dyer