Stewart Downing scored for Aston Villa to help send them into the Carling Cup semi-finals at the expense of Portsmouth.
Downing suffered a fractured foot in May, against Villa while playing for Middlesbrough, but boss Martin O'Neill deemed him ready for a starting place after making his debut as a substitute last month and the summer signing wrapped up victory at Fratton Park.
Stiliyan Petrov's early own goal was cancelled out by Emile Heskey's equaliser, with James Milner establishing a lead for the visitors before England winger Downing struck late on.
Kanu pulled one back to set up an exciting finale but Ashley Young made sure of Villa's victory.
It means Avram Grant, who still needs paperwork to be completed before being officially confirmed as Pompey manager, can now concentrate on his club's survival campaign in the Barclays Premier League.
His first two matches in charge have resulted in defeat but a Carling Cup quarter-final was hardly the top of his priorities.
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