Villa Park proved to be the starting point for City's Wembley march last time, but could it be the same again?
The stakes may have been much lower than on the historic visit a dozen years ago, but the win kept Graham Alexander's side on track for a possible return to the National Stadium.
Against an opponent roughly the same age as Bobby Poynton, they finished the job with three goals within the first 26 minutes.
The first half was a man-versus-man story, with Villa unable to cope with City's physicality in the corners.
At that stage, the final result threatened a 5-0 victory in a little-remembered Simodo Cup from 38 years ago.
However, there were no extra players after the break as Villa's young players showed their technical talent and alarmed the visitors.
Even though City had booked their place in the quarter-finals, they had no intention of relinquishing their advantage.
After the free week, Alexander said he “wanted to believe” in his team and promised to play strong with his choices.
There were just two changes from the team that beat Grimsby, with Callum Johnson the most important player at the back who overcame months of injury hell by taking a belated bow in City colors.
Johnson replaced Aiden Baldwin, who was named to a very strong bench. Another change from the previous game was that Clarke Oduor, the attacking three, had a chance.
He agreed to start in place of Antoni Sarcevic over Jamie Walker. The Scot was one of the substitutes, raising the feeling he could be available before the quota runs out.
All four window signings were cup ties, but Sam Walker made his first trophy appearance in goal for City as Colin Doyle, who had played every game in the competition under Alexander, was limited to the regular reserves. fulfilled.
With no people at either end of the famous arena, the Holte End looked wide and empty. Around 500 City fans chanted loudly in the empty seats, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
As expected, City got the early points as Alex Pattison twice fired a goal wide of the box from just outside the box.
They forced three quick corners and attacked with a third in the 9th minute, when Callum Kavanagh headed home Richie Smallwood's shot at the near post.
The barrage continued and a second goal was soon added from another corner kick. Keeper Olivier Zych failed to clear Bobby Poynton's inswinger and the ball fell, allowing Jack Shepherd to slam home from close range.
Villa were reeling and struggling to get out of their own half. But when they did, they suddenly pulled one point back with Kylie Pierre's cracking finish into the top corner.
“Can we sing a song” shouted a few cheeky locals, who were probably still giggling as City regained their two-goal advantage.
Inevitably, it came from a corner – Poynton's kick was firmly headed in by Johnson. He was clearly enjoying his long night in purgatory.
Kavanagh was denied his second goal by a good save from Jihee, but he smashed the rebound into the side netting.
Villa's goal pressure continued with a total of 11 corners by half-time, with Johnson's cross being tipped over goal by Kavanagh and narrowly wide by the outstretched Lewis Richards.
City made a double change at half-time and Johnson ended the night, as did Pattison. The defender looked very comfortable throughout.
The young home team started the second half more aggressively.
George Hemmings played with Brad Burrows behind the defence, but Shepherd went over and missed the England youth striker's shot. Additionally, Travis Patterson's cross-shot was blocked at the near post.
City threatened to score after half-time substitute Sarcevic almost let a low cross from Oduor go into the net.
Walker made no save, but things changed in this period, frustrating Burrows with a spectacular fall.
Villa asked more questions and Pierre's stepover created room for Hemmings to pick out, but Hemmings deflected his shot wide from 10 yards.
Kavanagh made way for Vadin Oliver and was sent off to a huge ovation from the City supporters. Jamie Walker was also run out for Lewis Richards, with Oduor switching to left wing-back.
Burrows has proven to be in the minority, adding pace wide as Villa gain momentum with the addition of Kadan Young.
Shepherd put his body on the line to thwart substitute Mason Kotcher, potentially leading to a nasty finish for the home side as they searched for a second goal.
Another Burrows burst and Patterson hit a cross shot that went wide past a diving Walker.
Young's quick feet almost led to a goal at the final whistle, but Walker narrowed the angle and fired home at the near post, before Brad Halliday cleared in front of the line.
