JAY-JAY Okocha leaves with the cheers after an inspirational performance in this thrilling Carling Cup semi-final first leg clash that has surely put Wanderers into the final at the Millennium Stadium at Cardiff.

Okocha, who leaves Wanderers on Thursday for a month to help Nigeria in their African Nations Cup campaign, signed off with a classy free-kick goal in the opening attack and then added the fifth with another wonderful free-kick that left Villa pulverised.

Okocha, Kevin Nolan and Stelios gave Wanderers a fantastic start with three goals in the opening 16 minutes with the formidable Kevin Davies instrumental in most of the attacks.

At 10-1 for Okocha to score the first goal many punters who had a sentimental bet were rubbing their hands with glee - and their joy was doubled soon afterwards.

Nolan, who scored in the 1-1 Premiership draw between the two clubs earlier in the season but misses the second leg through suspension, continued his recent run of scoring with a powerful forward run and drive into the bottom corner from outside the area on eight minutes.

And to make matters worse for shell-shocked Villa and manager David O'Leary, Stelios fired over his shoulder from Kevin Davies' header to put Wanderers three up on 16. Fantastic!

Then on 19 minutes Angel gave Villa some heart with a speculative cross cum shot that ended up in the far top corner to make it 3-1 and for much of the remainder of the half Villa fought back well.

And Villa surged forward again in the 55th minute and Angel was the lucky one as TV replays showed he was clearly offside when Vassell's shot rebounded off him and then again into the net. It sparked big Wanderers protests and the game became distinctly nervous.

But then Bruno N'Gotty fired home a vital fourth header goal for Wanderers and fans' hero Okocha thundered home a stunning free-kick just 10 minutes from time to put Wanderers back in command.

Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, N'Gotty, Thome, Barness, Campo, Giannakopoulos, Djorkaeff, Okocha, Nolan, Davies. Subs: Poole, Charlton, Pedersen, Ba, Javi Moreno.

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Delaney, Mellberg, Dublin, Samuel, Hendrie, McCann, Whittingham, Barry, Angel, Vassell. Subs: Hitzlsperger, Postma, Allback, De la Cruz, Johnsen.

Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).

Reaction and The Big Match Verdict will appear throughout Thursday.