ASTON Villa boss David O'Leary is looking past Bolton Wanderers to a possible Carling Cup final against Arsenal.

O'Leary spent 18 distinguished seasons with the Gunners and although Villa still have to overcome the two-leg televised semi-final with Sam Allardyce's boys, he is already thinking about his old club.

"Bolton will be tough but it would be brilliant for me if we could get through to the Millennium Stadium and play the club who did so much for me.

"I've never been to that stadium and it would be fantastic if it was Arsenal we were playing.

"First of all we know that Bolton will give us a heck of a battle and we will take nothing for granted."

In-form Villa overcame big-spending Chelsea 2-1 to secure a semi-final spot when Gavin McCann scored Villa's winner after Joe Cole had earlier cancelled out dangerman' Juan Pablo Angel's superb opener.

O'Leary is looking for a repeat performance in Wednesday's first leg at the Reebok.

The Villa boss said: "Everybody played their part - including the people who came on as subs. We want a repeat of that performance.

"We are trying to make the best of what resources we've got and we've created a great spirit with everyone giving their best."

Lee Hendrie, meanwhile, knows it is vital that Villa bounce back from the Liverpool and Arsenal defeats and kick-on again, if they are to gain a European spot, either by winning the Carling Cup or finishing high enough in the Premiership.

He said: "I said we needed to pick up seven points from the festive period - which is exactly what we did and that got us on a great roll.

"We are in the top half of the table and, for a while, were above Birmingham. We lost against Liverpool and Arsenal and we can't let things fizzle out now.

"We have some tough games coming up, including Bolton on Wednesday, and we must make sure we kick-on even more now."

Hendrie has admitted that he has now become more vocal in making his views known in a relatively quiet dressing room.

The one-time England midfielder said: "You have got the likes of Dion Dublin and Olof Mellberg who make a lot of noise, and a few years ago I wouldn't have said a word myself.

"But that now has changed. I will be 27 in May - and if I have got something to say in the dressing room, then I will say it. That comes from experience and seeing how the older players can influence teams."