Norwich City manager Chris Hughton has said that his team must put tonight's Capital One Cup exit behind them in time for Saturday's Premier League clash with Wigan Athletic.
Paul Lambert returned to Carrow Road for the first time since departing for Villa Park in the summer to dump his old team out of the competition at the quarter-final stage.
The Canaries had taken an early lead through Steve Morison, but goals from Brett Holman, Christian Benteke and an Andreas Weimann double saw the visitors run out comfortable winners.
"We needed to make sure we held on to our 1-0 lead longer," Hughton told Sky Sports News.
"Villa are a good footballing side and they were more clinical than us. It is really disappointing because we had been on a good run.
"We have to take it on the chin and now need to make sure we can get back on track for Saturday against Wigan."
Aston Villa will now face Bradford City in the last four.
