Blackburn Rovers' Wembley dream is over after an incredible 10-goal Carling Cup semi-final shootout at Villa Park.
Rovers got off to a flying start with two Nikola Kalinic goals, but Villa hit back before the break.
The first came through Ewood old boy Stephen Warnock, although Gabby Agbonlahor fouled Ryan Nelsen in the area in the build-up.
Then the turning point came when Chris Samba brought down Agbonlahor for a penalty, and the defender was sent off for a professional foul.
Ten-men Rovers battled well after the break but an own goal from Steven Nzonzi started the goal rout.
Agbonlahor made it 4-2, Heskey 5-2, but Rovers hit back again through a spectacular Martin Olsson overhead kick.
Brett Emerton then made it 5-4 (6-4 agg) with a long-range shot, but Ashley Young scored Villa's sixth in injury time.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Petrov, Milner, Downing (Sidwell 86), Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey. Subs not used: Friedel, Luke Young, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Delph, Beye.
Blackburn: Robinson, Chimbonda, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Emerton, Nzonzi (Reid 61), Pedersen, Olsson, Dunn (McCarthy 56), Kalinic (Di Santo 72). Subs not used: Brown, Andrews, Hoilett, Salgado.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Attendance: 40,406.
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