Solano denies Ginola last laugh

'We use him in a slightly different way to what he's used to, and he's found our style of play difficult to adjust to. But he's in the side on merit and he showed a much better appetite in the second half.

'I don't think being booed helps him but what drives me mad is when he sits on the floor for five minutes trying to get a free-kick. The referee's never going to change his mind, is he? But it always hard for players coming back to their old clubs and he's coming on well.'

Gregory rightly paid tribute to Stone, who drove Newcastle to distraction with his frequent raids down the right, and Villa's imperious captain Gareth Southgate.

The England centre back was a colossus at the heart of defence, coaxing and cajoling 19-year-old Jay Lloyd Samuel into producing a mature performance alongside Steve Staunton and himself.

Newcastle badly missed Alan Shearer but their attack was further blunted by Bobby Robson's decision to switch Kieron Dyer from the attack to midfield after Gary Speed's early withdrawal.

Hard as Shola Ameobi, Daniel Cordone and Lomano Lua Lua tried, it seemed a goal would not come and Gregory said he thought Villa had the game won.

Ameobi, a willing workhorse up front, did strike the base of a post on 62 minutes after breaking free of the shackles that Villa's mean defence expertly placed on Newcastle's attacking intentions.

But that scare aside, James was rarely troubled and while Newcastle offered plenty of perspiration, they were lacking in inspiration as their dreams of a third FA Cup Final in four years were about to washed away under the heavy afternoon rain.

Cue Solano's strike and Newcastle, who have signed Sheffield United defender Wayne Quinn on a month's loan with a view to a permanent move as they try to cover for the loss of Didier Domi, were gleefully clinging on to a Cup lifeline.

Robson said: 'We fell behind again but we fought back well and turned it round. Four days earlier we played for a long time at Tottenham with nine men and, considering that, our players did well to last the 90 minutes against Villa.

'There was nothing between the teams and we might have had a penalty when Clarence Acuna's shot appeared to hit a hand. But it was a well-taken goal by Nobby.'

The good news for Newcastle is that Rob Lee may have recovered from his hamstring injury in time for the replay; the bad news is that Solano and Dyer will both be absent through suspension after they were sent off at Spurs.

Just like the Tyneside weather, it never rains but it pours for Robson as he attempts to continue fielding a competitive team, despite a lengthy injury list and a cash shortage at St James' Park.