James Milner insists Aston Villa can be proud of their performance in Saturday's FA Cup semifinal defeat to Chelsea.

Milner was very impressed by Villa's performance on the day against Chelsea, insisting Martin O'Neill's men more than matched them throughout.

He told Villa's website: "You don't want people thinking 'Villa have gone to Wembley again and they're moaning about the referee' but it's a penalty - simple as that. Howard is a good referee and he'll look at it again.

"That would have been a nice start to the game for us. I thought overall it was pretty even.

"They scored from a set-piece and then obviously with two late goals. It wasn't a 3-0 scoreline. We were pressing forward to try and get back in the game. I thought it was even.

"They are a good team but I thought we played well and had chances of our own.

"We had the penalty shout, a header which just went wide at the start of the second half, a shot first half which went just past the post. We had our own chances.

"But they are a very good team. Just look at the players they have bought on - Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou and Nicolas Anelka - that's strength in depth.

"Saying that, I think we more than matched them and it took a set-piece to break us down."