Shane Long has described the start of the second half against Villa as '10 minutes of madness' that cost Reading a Wembley trip.
The Royals had been sitting pretty going into the break against Villa with a two goal lead but after ten minutes in the second half they were 3-2 down and staring down the barrel.
"To do so well in the first half and come so close is really disappointing," Long told the Chronicle. "There were 10 minutes of madness when it all slipped away from us. "
But I think we can hold our heads high.
Aston Villa are a great side and I hope they go on and win the competition which would show just how close we came.
"We came in at half-time 2-0 up. We had to get through the first 10 or 15 minutes after the break because we knew Villa would come at us. "
But they got the goals and I think we were a bit unlucky.
Everyone played well but when our heads were down we should have picked ourselves up.
"It wasn't to be but it was a good run in the cup I suppose."