Goals from Juan Pablo Angel and Gavin McCann last night earned Villa a 2-1 quarter-final success over Chelsea, who suffered a second surprise setback in the space of five days.

O’Leary spent 18 years as a player at Highbury before moving to Villa after a spell at Leeds.

“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,” reflected O’Leary, who made a record 558 league appearances for the north-London outfit.

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

“But first of all we know that Bolton will give us a heck of a battle and we will take nothing for granted.”

Boro boss Steve McClaren, meanwhile, voiced his desire to achieve semi-final revenge over the Gunners.

In the last four of the 2001/2002 FA Cup, Boro were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal, when only Gianluca Festa’s own goal separated the two sides.

And after his side’s penalty shoot-out victory against Tottenham last night, McClaren reflected: “It takes me back to The FA Cup semi-final that we had a couple of years ago.

“That was a tight affair and we expect another one – but whoever you play in the semi-final, it’s a tremendous occasion.”

Darren Anderton put Spurs ahead after just 63 seconds, only for Michael Ricketts – whom Spurs decided not to sign last January – to level four minutes from the end of normal time.

Boro had prevailed on penalties in the previous round against Everton and they proved that practice makes perfect as they went through in dramatic fashion once again.

At 3-3, Gus Poyet’s effort was saved by Mark Schwarzer and while Danny Mills and Frederic Kanoute both scored, keeper Kasey Keller somehow managed to keep Spurs alive by denying Gaizka Mendieta.

Mauricio Taricco, nevertheless, then struck the post and it was left to Frenchman Frank Queudrue to seal Boro’s place in the semi-finals.

“We had no idea about the draw, but I don’t think that would have stimulated us during extra-time,” reflected Spurs caretaker boss David Pleat, whose side missed out on a tantalising semi-final against their north-London rivals.

“Everything is irritating when you lose, but we’re out so it’s now history.”

On Tuesday night, a youthful Arsenal side beat First Division leaders West Brom 2-0 in their quarter-final tie at The Hawthorns, while Bolton edged past Southampton 1-0 after extra-time at the Reebok Stadium.

:: Draw for semi-finals of the Carling Cup is as follows:

Bolton v Aston Villa

Arsenal v Middlesbrough

(First leg ties will be played w/c January 19; second leg ties will be played w/c January 26)