LEEDS United's fervent supporters last night exploded the myth that they only have eyes for their own idols.

In between celebrating their team's triumphant march to the Rumbelow's League Cup semi-finals, the Elland Road faithful took time out to deliver their verdict on Aston Villa. "You're so bad, it's unbelievable," was the cutting, but oh-so-accurate assessment of Villa's abysmal performance.

Only a week ago, it was all too easy to sympathise with Villa's heartbreaking late exit from the FA Cup.

But the loyal band of Midland fans who travelled to Yorkshire could this time feel only shame as their favourites were outclassed, outwitted and outfought by a Leeds side superior in every department.

For Howard Wilkinson's outfit, a marvellous first season back in the top flight remains full of promise, with a three-pronged attack on Wembley taking shape nicely.

For Villa, the campaign is as good as over, the modest target of mid-table respectability providing their sole ambition over the remaining three months.

Even that would appear to be somewhat over-optimistic on the evidence of last night's horror show, with a struggle against relegation looking a more realistic alternative.

Was this really the team who earned so much admiration in Saturday's absorbing goalless draw against leaders Liverpool?

Cosmetically, at least, the difference was slight, Stuart Gray and Paul Birch replacing Kevin Gage and Andy Comyn respectively.

But the tactic of abandoning a five-man defence and employing Birch to mark Leeds midfield maestro Gordon Strachan, was little short of catastrophic.

Birch stuck to his task gamely, even finding time and space for a stunning drive which thudded against the bar.

But he and fellow midfielders David Platt and Gordon Cowans were generally too pre-occupied in trying to contain their Leeds counterparts to contemplate creativity.