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Villa To End Cup ‘Joke’

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Some have claimed the FA Cup has lost it’s magic, but David O’Leary is having none of it!

He says ‘The FA Cup is a big, big competition to win and there’s a lot of big teams still in the competition. I’ve been in my share of FA Cup finals and they’re fantastic things. I’d love to be in one as a manager here at Villa.’

He also says Villa’s record in the cup recently is a ‘joke’ that he aims to put right on Saturday.

‘This club has won two FA Cup ties since it got to the final in 2000. It has got to change. I’m determined to put that record right. I realised only recently how bad our record is in the cup since reaching the final in 2000. That is a joke. My record isn’t brilliant in the cups – but it’s not like I inherited a brilliant cup record. It would be nice to change it.’

Luke Moore who could be set to start up front with Baros despite Kevin Phillips returning to fitness and scoring ways (3 goals in 2 games in the reserves) said: ‘The FA Cup would be good for us to win this season, especially with the final in the new Wembley. Against Port Vale, we have to win rather then play well.’

Meanwhile, Port Vale midfielder Chris Birchall says The Valiants have nothing to fear after Doncaster Rovers knocked Villa out of the Carling Cup by three 3 goals no nil.

He said: ‘Villa are one of those teams who can have an off-day if you get into them. We are the kind of team that loves to play football as well so I think you can see an upset happening. I don’t think we are going to get battered about four or five, I don’t think it’s that kind of game.’

Adding: ‘I don’t think we have got much to fear against Villa. I know they are a good team, but they are a team that you think you may have a chance against.’

Aston Villa Team News:

(from) Sorensen, Taylor, Hughes, Delaney, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Samuel, McCann, Milner, Davis, Angel, Baros, Moore, Gardner, Whittingham, Phillips, Hendrie.

Player to watch: Kevin Phillips

He needs to play – he will score!

Port Vale Team News:

Lee Matthews, Robin Hulbert, Hector Sam and Michael Walsh are all out.

Jeff Smith is back after injury and Tony Dinning and Danny Sonner return after suspension.

Player to watch: Danny Sonner

Has the experience to cause problems.

Ref Watch:

Steve Bennett

Match Prediction:

Tough game, if Port Vale battle our players will have to be up for it, but Mystic Mug
says there is only one possible outcome, a home win.

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