FA Cup Semi-Final: Aston Villa vs Liverpool Pre-Match Thread

[Ads]

We shouldn't need extra motivation as supporters to want to win this, but having to listen to Scousers at work talk about how they might struggle for final tickets has really got me fired up.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

To be fair, Ads, they have a point. I doubt many are Villa season ticket holders.

Anybody heard anything about Stan leading the team out tomorrow? I know it was suggested to Sherwood a few weeks back and he said it was a nice idea but have yet to hear anything since.

[Kingthing]

I've got Cup Fever.

What time will you be at the pub?

[Villafirst]

Hutton out is a blow. You need experience in these sort of games. We do seem to get a lot of soft tissue muscle injuries. Perhaps the medical team and strength and conditioning coach positions need to be looked at for next season?

[Chico Hamilton III]

I've got Cup Fever.

What time will you be at the pub?

I might camp outside it on Saturday night, be the first in on Sunday morning

[liam]

I'm thinking of heading down Saturday and booking a hotel in Harrow or nearby , anybody know of any villa meeting up to watch the Saturday night game in a pub? We had a great night before the Final in 2010 - I have a couple of teenage sons with me, but would good to find a group of villa to start off the weekend in a good way.... any info gratefully received.

[BC54 VFC]

Gabby out.

[Legion]

Oh.

[Legion]

Source?

[PeterWithesShin]

Tim Sherwood insists Villa aren't going to Wembley for a day-out, roaring: "We're there to win the game and get through to the FA Cup final."

Sherwood is relishing the prospect of this weekend's visit to the national stadium for the last four clash with Liverpool.

But the boss is adamant his players are heading to the capital with the focused mindset of seeing off the Reds.

He said: "It's a very exciting game. It's a great opportunity for this club to get to a FA Cup final.

"It won't be a very good feeling if we lose. I have lost a few FA Cup semi-finals before myself. It's not a great feeling.

"We go in there with a positive frame of mind. It's not the relegation stakes on Sunday, it's about us maybe getting some glory for the football club.

"It's the same mindset as always - impose ourselves and win the game. That's what we intend to do.

"We think we're capable. We've got a good blend of players - they can play and then they can also go direct at times. We're prepared to mix it up.

"We have a plan and we hope we can affect Liverpool.

"It's a great opportunity for any of these guys to be a hero.

"It's been a long time since Aston Villa got to an FA Cup semi-final and then won the FA Cup - that's the aim really.

"No-one will ever remember the team that lost in the semi-final of the FA Cup.

"So this is the chance for someone to be a hero and take this club to the final and then win it.

"I think the lads have every reason to look forward to the game. The momentum has been with us. We have picked up some good results. It's definitely a game we can win.

"The fans are entitled to be excited. We will do everything we can to make sure they go back there in May. That's our aim and we want to achieve that.

"It's about preparing the team now. It's a big occasion and it's about knowing what that brings.

"We need to keep the players calm and make sure they apply themselves well and don't get beaten by the occasion.

"There are a lot of regrets if you lose semi-finals. I don't want them to have any regrets.

"We're confident. We have a lot of travelling fans coming down to support us at Wembley - the home of football.

"We have to do a job, impose ourselves on a very good Liverpool side.

"It's a great occasion but we're not going there for a day out. We're going there to win the game.

"We will certainly be professional enough to play the game not the occasion."

Sherwood has every reason to be optimistic heading into the Reds clash, with his claret and blue troops picking up ten points from the previous six games in the Barclays Premier League, including fantastic wins over West Brom, Sunderland and Tottenham.

However, the boss is very respectful of the quality his team will face this weekend.

He added: "Liverpool have a good rhythm.

"I get on very well with Brendan. I have a lot of respect for him.

"I think he's done a good job there. It's a transition period for him at Liverpool and I think he's done very well.

"I think they overachieved last season in finishing second. Then everyone expects them to emulate that every year. It's a tough league. It's not possible.

"I am sure Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers will be higher in that Champions League spots come the end of the season - and in seasons to come.

"His Liverpool team like to play a nice passing game. They like to dominate the football.

"We just have to make sure we get the ball off them and keep it ourselves.

"We can't keep giving them the ball back because you tend not to see it for a long period of time.

"It's a big pitch - Wembley - it's a different environment to what everyone is used to but we are confident we can keep the ball from them and hurt them."

[Ads]

I'd rather play Sinclair off Benteke than Weimann.

[BC54 VFC]

Source?

My elder son has just tweeted; he's on a coach just about to arrive at Golders Green where my younger son lives. Can't get hold of him to ask source but hope it's wrong!

[Legion]

Ah. Twitter. Sorry, but I'll hold fire on this. No disrespect meant to your offspring.

[BC54 VFC]

https://instagram.com/p/1libCvm7-_/?taken-by=ga11official

[Legion]

Bugger.