JOE ROYLE's Cup miracle-workers once again defied football logic last night and sent Aston Villa home from Boundary Park with red faces.

Second Division Oldham have secured their place in the semi-finals for the first time in 77 years by virtue of this stunning 3-0 victory against the First Division pace-setters.

Chris Price's panic-stricken 50th minute own goal was the decisive moment which wrecked Villa's dream of the elusive League and Cup double.

But the real pain for manager Graham Taylor was the irony of watching two Watford old boys, Rick Holden and Neil Redfearn, put the game out of his reach.

Now, Royle's side will not fear Manchester United at Maine Road on April 8.

Already through to the Littlewoods Cup final, they might well have been ahead, notably through Roger Palmer, before Holden struck in the 37th minute.

Turning some 25 yards out, he gave Nigel Spink little chance with a superb dipping shot into the far corner.

Villa self-destructed five minutes into the second half. Paul Warhurst launched the ball forward from midfield, and though Price reached it first he was under intense pressure from Marshall as he hurriedly clipped the ball back towards the goal long departed by Spink.

In the 68th minute Holden created the chance, accelerating past Price before driving in a low shot which Spink could not hold, presenting Redfearn with a comfortable chance to score.

Royle could hardly believe his side's performance. "The prospect of going to Wembley twice is fantastic - generally we only get two cup games a year.”

Graham Taylor dismissed the plastic pitch as an excuse, saying:

"The surface is something of a red herring, even if Oldham have it off to a tee how to play it

"Every Oldham player knows his job and they consistently get the ball into areas that hurt you.”

Cascarino deal goes through

IRISH striker Tony Cascarino's transfer saga will end today when he completes a £1.5 million move from Millwall to Aston Villa.

Cascarino had talks with Villa manager Graham Taylor before Villa's FA Cup quarter-final at Oldham last night and later said:

"I am much clearer in my mind now".

The deal will be concluded today and the striker will make his debut at Derby on Saturday.

The turning-point came when Miliwall agreed to pay money owed to Cascarino out of the signing-on fee he got when joining them from Gillingham.

Taylor did not increase his offer to a striker, who is about to become Villa's first £1 million player.

Cascarino had asked for time to consider his future after meeting Taylor on Monday.

But Millwall chairman Reg Burr said last night: "Cascarino has got a very good deal from Villa and we don't expect any further holdups".

Taylor claimed that Cascarino's plea for time to think about his decision was correct.

And Burr echoed the Villa boss when he claimed: "I don't think Cascarino has been very well advised in this affair".

The Irish striker had consulted his former Republic squad-mate Liam Brady during negotiations.