THERE is no greater glory for a Birmingham City fan than putting one over the Villa, and Wednesday nights Carling Cup triumph was as sweet as they come for Brummie boy Gavin Mahon.

And considering he has been on the losing side on three previous visits to Villa Park, QPR's 1-0 win was doubly delicious.

But still the midfielder insisted afterwards he would swop the triumph for six points in the coming week's home games against Derby and Blackpool.

It was the most sobering thought on a mostly intoxicating night for the super Hoops and their delirious fans, who have been starved of such nights for too long.

Mahon played his part in an excellent defensive performance which ensured Villa's mobile and robust forward line was increasingly restricted to a few crumbs from the table after an evening that had begun with promise of a feast.

After weathering an early storm and the awesome presence of Marlon Harewood and John Carew, Ranger's back four got on top and eventually capitalised on a growing belief to plunder a famous victory.

In a game of few chances, Damion Stewart rose unchallenged, his marker Carlos Cuellar having slipped, to power in a Danny Parejo cross after 58 minutes following a partially-cleared corner.

It was a scenario he has repeated already on a couple of occasions this season.

With that header came the unmistakable scent of glory, which became overwhelming 15 minutes from time when Gareth Barry spurned the home side's one real chance of the second half, clipping the ball wide of an advancing Radek Cerney with the goal gaping.

It seems curmudgeonly to downplay such a night, but Mahon is wise enough to do just that.

"Honestly, I would trade this night for six points from the next two home games, he told the Gazette.

"These nights are magnificent and you never forget them but we know the league's important for us and after a poor result at Coventry last weekend, I would take the points against Derby and Blackpool.

"I think belief was the key to our win. We spoke about that at half-time and agreed we could get a result and as the game wore on, we though Ôhang on a minute, we could get something here."

"It shows the character and togetherness in the team and that weÕve come a long way in a short space of time.

"But we want to do that all season and not just make this a one-off game because our main priorityÕs the Championship. We won't forget that.

"That win should breed confidence between now and the end of the season, though."

Thankfully, the emotions were not all reigned in by Mahon, who had such a personal reason to enjoy the night.

"I've played in two FA Cup semi-finals here for Watford and played against Villa here in the Prem and lost every one. Being a Birmingham supporter makes tonight even better!

"And I am looking forward to the draw for the next round. I think teams will want to avoid us because of the way we are playing.

"I've played in a League Cup semi-final before against Liverpool and I know that you win one or two games and before you know it, you are in the quarter-final."

It is a thought which may be crossing Iain Dowie's mind. Having led previous club Coventry to a cup giant-killing act at Man United last year, he seems eager for more.

And if nothing else, he has allowed Rangers fans to enjoy that heady feeling of being perpetrators rather than victims of an upset.

Taking the scalp of a Villa side who were sixth last year and have a manager steeped in League Cup history as a player and manager was some achievement.

Mahon said: "We knew we had to defend well as a team, especially the back four when you have Carew and Harewood to deal with. They're both got power and our two centre halves, especially Damion, were outstanding. And the full-backs marked their wingers well.

"Damion has got everything as a centre half. He's quick, he's good in the air and he's got good feet. He's very powerful and attacks the ball well.

"If he can maintain that

consistency, there's no reason why he can't go right to the top. He's been magnificent for us all season."

Mahon added: "We always thought we could come here and play, although we can play better than we did.

"We were a little edgy the first five or 10 minutes but once we could see how the game was panning out, we got stronger.

"We could see we had time on the ball and we've got good players who can hurt you when they have that.

"Maybe our passing in the final third wasn't there tonight but a lot of positives came out of the game for us.

"It was a great result and gives us confidence going into this weekend's game."

Match Summary

ASTON VILLA (0) 0 QPR (0) 1

Line-up: Cerny; Connolly, Hall, Stewart, Delaney; Ledesma (Balanta 90), Parejo, Mahon, Buzsaky (Leigertwood 81); Rowlands; Agyemang (Di Carmine 67). Subs not used: Camp, Gorkss, Blackstock, Ephraim. Attendance: 21,541

GOALS: Stewart (58)

MoM: Damion Stewart

Entertainment: 333mmm