League Cups review:Theo Walcott confirmed his return to fitness with two goals for Arsenal as the Gunners swept aside Newcastle in the Carling Cup, while north of the border Republic of Ireland international Anthony Stokes scored two in Celtic's win over St Johnstone.
Walcott made his comeback to first-team football after a month’s lay-off with a late appearance in the 3-0 win over Manchester City at the weekend, but at St James’s Park tonight he bagged a brace to help bury the Toon Army.
His controversial 53rd-minute strike, when defender Mike Williamson appeared to be blocked by Nicklas Bendtner, made it 2-0 after Tim Krul's own goal in first-half injury time.
However, there was no fortune about Bendtner's 83rd-minute strike into the top corner, or Walcott's tidy finish with two minutes remaining as the Gunners powered their way into the last eight.
Steward Downing came to Aston Villa'srescue in the sixth minute of extra-time after Burnley's Clark Carlisle equalised Emile Heskey's opener in the 89th minute.
Heskey’s low finish four minutes from time looked like being the winner but Carlisle headed home Ross Wallace’s cross to level the tie.
However, Downing’s left-footed shot into the top corner saw Villa in to the quarter-finals.
West Hamscored two in extra-time to complete their comeback against Stoke Cityafter Kenwyne Jones's early header from Jermaine Pennant's corner.
Scott Parker’s 84th minute header cancelled out his effort and Manuel Da Costa edged the Hammers in front in the 96th minute, before Victor Obinna sealed the win.
The draw for the quarter-finals will be made on Saturday.
In the Co-operative Insurance Cup, Celticsurvived a St Johnstonecomeback at McDiarmid Park to book themselves a place in the semi-finals.
A Stokes double and a strike from former Derry City winger Niall McGinn had the visitors three goals up after only 13 minutes but Sam Parkin reduced the deficit before the break.
Saints midfielder Murray Davidson headed in the second in the 54th minute to promise a remarkable fightback but while Parkin missed a decent chance to level and Fraser Forster saved brilliantly right at the end from Saints substitute Jennison Myrie-Williams, Celtic also passed up on opportunities to draw further ahead.
Andrew Little grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangerstook a step closer to retaining the cup with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.
The Northern Irishman - making his second start this term - handed the holders a first-half lead after Kilmarnock had an early effort ruled offside.
Steven Naismith then continued his fine form this season when he netted in the second half to put the tie beyond the Ayrshire side.