Guzan is mobbed by his Villa team-mates after four penalty saves

Brad Guzan believes Aston Villa can win the Carling Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Sunderland put them into the last eight.

The American international goalkeeper saved four spot-kicks at the Stadium of Light, including one in normal time.

"Any competition we enter, we try to win it, and we can push forward from this now," Guzan told BBC WM.

"We're two games away from a final and three games away from winning it. Anything can happen in football."

Villa are now awaiting the draw for the quarter-finals, which takes place on Saturday, as they aim to pick up their first piece of domestic silverware since winning the League Cup in 1996.

Guzan has been understudy to fellow American Brad Friedel since signing for Villa in August 2008, with three of his 11 starts for the club coming in the Carling Cup.

"Brad is a tremendous goalkeeper and he's been fantastic for us this year," added Guzan.

"Whenever I play in these games and get these opportunities, I try to do my best to help the team get a good result.

"But to look about coming into the team against Everton at the weekend might be a little premature. I'll leave that decision to the manager."

Guzan stopped a Kenwyne Jones penalty in the 83rd minute to take the game to extra time, and then saved efforts from Andy Reid, Lorik Cana and Jordan Henderson in the shootout to send Villa through 3-1 on penalties.

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