Pompey progress into the last four of the FA Cup with a win over Birmingham
Portsmouth will return to Wembley less than two years after the FA Cup win that began the downward spiral into financial trouble.
They beat Birmingham 2-0 at Fratton Park, thanks to a brace from Frederic Piquionne, and will play either Fulham or Tottenham in the last four after the London clubs played out a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage.
Piquionne prodded home the opening goal from close range after Joe Hart had made a mess of trying to clear his lines following a goal-mouth scramble.
Jamie O'Hara laid on the second, slotting in Piquionne who cut inside his marker and fired home.
Aston Villa were handed a real scare before coming through their quarter-final at Reading.
Martin O'Neil's side were two Shane Long goals to nil down at the break but Ashley Young smashed in Carlos Cuellar's miss-hit shot at the far post within 70 seconds of the restart.
Five minutes later John Carew nodded in Stewart Downing's cross to level the scores before flicking in Stephen Warnock's low cross to complete an astonishing turnaround ten minutes into the second half.
Carew completed his hat-trick, to seal a 4-2 win, from the penalty spot after being tripped in the box in the final minute of the game.
Villa will play Chelsea in their semi-final after Carlo Ancelotti's men ran out 2-0 winners over Stoke at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard drove home the first after a lay-off from John Terry before returning the favour when his corner was headed home by Terry on 67 minutes.
Back in the Premier League, Manchester United took advantage of Chelsea being involved in cup action by moving back to the top of the Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win over Wolves.
Veteran Paul Scholes' 100th Premier League goal was the difference between the sides, the midfielder calmly firing home after Nani's cross had deflected into his path.
Arsenal also put pressure on their London rivals, moving level on points with a 3-1 win against Burnley.
Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring, side-footing Samir Nasri's chipped pass through Brian Jensen's legs and into the net.
David Nugent levelled matters, latching onto Leon Cort's header and lobbing Lukasz Fabianski.
Under-fire Theo Walcott restored Arsenal's lead, curling the ball into the bottom corner of the net after a pass from Nicklas Bendtner.
Andrei Arshavin sealed the win in the final minute, driving low into the net after receiving the ball from Eduardo.
Everton won their sixth successive home game in convincing fashion, winning 5-1 against relegation threatened Hull.
Mikel Arteta opened the scoring, turning home Yakubu's cross at the far post before youngster Tom Cairney superbly equalised for Hull following a defensive clearance.
Arteta added his second of the game just before half time to restore the lead, side-footing home following Steven Pienaar's back-heel.
Arteta was again involved in Everton's third just after half time when his cross was turned into his own net by Richard Garcia.
Landon Donovan added a fourth in his last game at Goodison Park before he returns to LA Galaxy, the American arriving late at the far post to smash in Leighton Baines' low cross.Donovan then made the fifth for Jack Rodwell, sliding the ball into the youngster's path and he finished well.
In the final match of the weekend, West Ham were defeated at home by Bolton.
Kevin Davies opened the scoring, rising highest to nod in Chung-Yong Lee's cross before youngster Jack Wilshere scored the first goal of his loan spell at the club, volleying in from Tamir Cohen's headed pass.
Alessandro Diamante scored a late consolation for the home side, firing home in style after a defensive clearance fell kindly for him.