Emile Heskey and Steve Sidwell struck against Porto to send Villa through to the Peace Cup final against Italian giants Juventus on Sunday.
The Claret and Blue put in a disciplined and extremely defiant
performance against the Portuguese and they hung on superbly after Heskey was sent off with the score at 2-0.
Brazilian striker Hulk scored a last minute penalty but it mattered not as Martin O'Neill's men earned the chance to fight for an estimated £1.5m pay check.
It was a mixture of youth and experience which took to the field for the Villans as starlet Marc Albrighton lined up in front of 21 year-old Eric Lichaj on the right.
Carlos Cuellar and Curtis Davies were again the preferred centre-back pairing but Brad Guzan was chosen ahead of Brad Friedel between the sticks. Nigel Reo-Coker was named captain.
Heskey, who partnered John Carew in attack, was in the thick of the action early on and he expertly guided Albrighton's pin-point centre past the Porto keeper on 14 minutes.
But, the celebratory mood turned into one of anxiety as Davies seemed to injure his shoulder and went off the pitch to be replaced by young centre-back Ciaran Clark.
With Stiliyan Petrov already out with a dislocated shoulder, Villa cannot afford to lose anymore players and fans will be hoping that the move was just a precaution.
Partnership
Despite the change, O'Neill's men were looking calm and collected and with 37 minutes gone they doubled their lead.
This time it was Sidwell who cashed in as he neatly adjusted his feet in the box and smashed a half-volley into the roof of the Porto net.
The Ginger Ninja had been impressive up to that moment and he definitely deserved his goal.
Sidwell was again involved soon after as he drove a shot over the bar. His partnership with Reo-Coker was looking particularly productive and that will assure the Villa boss in the absence of Petrov.
Porto needed a burst of pace, a change of attitude and their boss Jesualdo Ferreira turned to Hulk, who was introduced from the bench in time for the second half.
It was then the Guzan show as he produced a sensational display to preserve the Villa lead.
The American ace, who was brilliant during a UEFA Cup tie in Prague last season, first got down to parry a Bruno Alves drive and then held a Hulk shot.
He must have known he was in for a busy last 20 minutes after Heskey was sent off for lashing out at a Porto player who was busy confronting Ashley Young.
Heroic
Not long after Heskey left the pitch, Porto again pressed with Guzan again called into action to save from the monstrous figure of Hulk.
He then made an even better stop from Argentine winger Cristian Rodriguez who lashed the ball at goal from close range.
Guzan was certainly posing a selection dilemma for O'Neill who may just be re-thinking the destination of his No1 jersey.
Young Australian defender Shane Lowry also put in an heroic display, as he blocked two Porto shots in the space of five minutes.
Villa were up against it but with a two goal cushion they knew a final place was within reach. However, after Reo-Coker brought down a player in the box and Hulk hammered home, the Claret and Blue were sweating for the final three added minutes.
But a victory it was to be and an impressive one at that.
Villa fans saw another example of the emergence of youth, some midfield magic and some monumental defensive defiance.
The Peace Cup has certainly been a great journey for the Villans and everyone connected with the club will hope that the experience ends well on Sunday.