WHO rated - who didn't

Wanderers 5, ASTON VILLA 2.

WANDERERS

4-3-3

JUSSI JAASKELAINEN ... 8

Made crucial saves at vital moments -- none more important than the one from McCann just before half-time.

NICKY HUNT ... 7

The youngster played his part again; had plenty of defending to do but still managed to get forward.

BRUNO N'GOTTY ... 8

Defended well, but his biggest contribution was that fourth goal; won himself a free header and made it count.

EMERSON THOME ... 7

Solid at the heart of the defence against two top strikers in Angel and Vassell.

ANTHONY BARNESS ... 6

Had a lot on his hands, playing out of position against the lively Hendrie, but stuck to the task.

KEVIN NOLAN ... 8

Bitter-sweet emotions for the youngster; delighted to have played a big part but disappointed to be missing the second leg.

IVAN CAMPO ... 8

Had a running battle with the Villa midfield -- and emerged from every tussle smiling or shrugging.

JAY-JAY OKOCHA ... 9

Big Sam said he wanted the skipper to sign off in style, and he did -- with two stunning goals and an array of tricks.

STELIOS ... 7

The little man made a big contribution; his goal was a copybook overhead kick.

KEVIN DAVIES ... 9

David O'Leary paid him the greatest of compliments; the Villa boss did not mention Okocha but said that Davies "bullied" his defenders.

YOURI DJORKAEFF ... 8

He did not want to be taken off, but he had played a big part in the win.

Subs: Simon Charlton (6) for Barness 62 mins, Henrik Pedersen (6) for Stelios 69 mins, Ibrahim Ba for Djorkaeff 84 mins. Not used: Javi Moreno, Kevin Poole.

ASTON VILLA

(4-4-2)

THOMAS SORENSEN ... 6

MARK DELANEY ... 6

OLOF MELLBERG ... 5

DION DUBLIN ... 5

JLLOYD SAMUEL ... 5

LEE HENDRIE ... 7

GAVIN McCANN ... 7

PETER WHITTINGHAM ... 6

GARETH BARRY ... 6

DARIUS VASSELL ... 7

JUAN PABLO ANGEL ... 8

Subs: Ronny Johnsen (5) for Mellberg 53 mins, Thomas Hitzlsperger (7) for Barry 56 mins, Marcus Allback for Vassell 77 mins. Not used: Ulises De La Cruz, Stefan Postma.

Referee: Paul Durkin (Dorset).

Attendance: 16,302.

Goals: Wanderers -- Okocha 2 mins, 80 mins, Nolan 9 mins, Stelios 17 mins, N'Gotty 73 mins; Villa -- Angel 20 mins, 56 mins.

Shots/headers on target: Wanderers 11, Villa 12.

Corners: Wanderers 6, Villa 4.

Offsides: Wanderers 4, Villa 4.

Fouls committed: Wanderers 11, Villa 21.

Bookings: Villa -- McCann 63 mins (foul on Hunt), Vassell 67 mins (foul on Campo), Hendrie 88 mins (foul on Davies), Dublin 90 mins (foul on Davies).

Man of the Match

JAY-JAY OKOCHA

What a way to sign off! He won't be around for the second leg but the skipper -- rated by Sam Allardyce as the most talented player in Wanderers' history -- went a long way to booking his ticket to the final with a dazzling display and two memorable goals.

Magic Moment

OKOCHA'S second free kick took the breath away. A yard from the angle of the area, he struck a blistering shot with the outside of his right foot past the outside of the wall through the narrowest of gaps and into the top corner.

Moan of the match

SEEING Angel escape an offside flag -- not once but three times -- before he got the deflection for Villa's second goal severely tested Wanderers' character.