'To say I was slightly gutted would be an understatement' MALCOLM Sadikeen, aged 47, of Middlebrook Drive, Lostock, said: "They played out of their skins. They were absolutely brilliant. It's unfortunate. They were a credit to the town. It was nail-biting stuff. I didn't want to watch the penalty shoot outs."

James Dickinson, aged 26, of Chorley Old Road, Horwich, said: "They did their best. Only one team can win at the end of the day. It is a shame. It was a good day out. My girlfriend and I have enjoyed ourselves. We went out in London on Saturday night and have treated it as a romantic weekend away." Chris Brooking, aged 44, of Heaton, who was with his 77-year-old father Gordon and daughter, Becky aged 16, said: "I am pleased that they played well. They were the better team in the second half. It hurt me to think that they missed the chance of the match. We were disappointing against Watford last year, but they redeemed themselves today. When it gets down to penalties, it is a lottery." Emotional Andy Johnstone, aged 38, from Astley Bridge, said: "To say I was slightly gutted would be an understatement. I've been shedding tears. Villa were fortunate to win the game, we played well enough to win."

His son Luke, aged eight, was also full of tears but said: "It was unbelievable."

John Councill, aged 47, of Tigfold Road, Farnworth, had gone with his 88-year-old father, William, whose first Wanderers match was in 1920. William said: "Unfortunately I wasn't here for the FA Cup match in 1958. It was different back then. But I've had a great time. I'm just sick with the result." Chris Sharples, aged 41, of Higher Drake Meadow, Daisy Hill , Westhoughton, is getting married to Georgina Howarth, aged 44, at the Reebok Stadium on May 27. But now his wedding plans have been slightly spoiled. He said: "We we hoping to come back to Wembley for the final the week before the wedding. The stag do was going to be the night before the game. I felt that Bolton competed well for 120 minutes. They just shaded it."

He was at the game with Georgina as well as dad, Gordon, aged 63, of Church Street, Little Lever, and son Matthew, aged eight. Gordon said: "My eldest son is best man and he has got two speeches - one for if Bolton had won, but that will have to go in the bin now. You couldn't tell which was the Premiership side. We did ourselves proud. We just didn't take the chances. It is four and a half hours back in the car, but it will seem a lot longer."

Matthew said: "I just feel sick. I wish they had won."

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