Conceding four goals at home tells one story, but that's not the one those in replica claret and blue will be taking home from Villa Park - or even just watching on the box - tonight.
A central midfield of James Milner and Stiliyan Petrov was proven to be defensively lightweight during a difficult first twenty minutes, but, with that attacking six on the pitch, it was only a matter of time until the home side got on the scoresheet - and then they scored six.
Martin O'Neill's side has a brilliant combination of discipline and youthful exuberance. A growing maturity was displayed when they used their man advantage to play keep-ball early in the second half, before the tie had gone away from Blackburn. They kept their heads after conceding two within the first 15. The boys know the jobs they've got to do, but they've also been given the freedom to go out and express themselves, with all their abundant athleticism. Milner, Young, Downing, Agbonlahor are always willing to take their man on.
Ashley Young's last-minute sixth provided the story I will remember. The corner flag was gaping; it seemed an obvious choice, into injury time with a two-goal aggregate advantage; run the clock down and you're in the cup final. It didn't cross his mind. He drove towards goal from the left-hand-side, curling the ball home from the edge of the area. Villa Park was alive.
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