Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill blasted Chelsea captain John Terry after yesterday's FA Cup semifinal defeat.

O'Neill was livid over Terry's tackle on his England team-mate James Milner that could have left the Aston Villa player with a serious injury at Wembley.

Terry was booked in the second half of Chelsea's 3-0 FA Cup semi-final win when he caught Milner on the calf with a high tackle in the Aston Villa half.

After treatment, Milner was able to continue, much to O'Neill's relief after an incident that left a sour taste in the Irishman's mouth.

"It was an horrendous challenge on an England team-mate," said O'Neill.

"James Milner is exceptionally lucky his career is intact. It should have been a straight red card.

"It could have been very serious. James is lucky to have got away with it. The fact his leg was in the air helped. I have spoken to the doctor who says he's a very lucky boy."

It was one of two contentious incidents in the game that left O'Neill fuming, with his ire directed in this instance at Terry and referee Howard Webb, who the Villa boss is convinced did not take the correct action.

"He's 15 yards outside the box and going away from goal. It was a pointless challenge," said O'Neill.

"But he made it and therefore the consequences of it should have been a red card. It was an obvious decision. You didn't need four replays to see it."