- FA Cup updates from the 8pm GMT kick-off at Villa Park
- Live scoreboard | Read Football Daily | And mail Scott |
The teams take to the pitch. We already know about Villa’s black shirts; West Ham pair those with their fetching white and claret third kit. Everyone looking sharp, looking good. A brilliant under-the-lights £1.50-a-pint-fuelled atmosphere at Villa Park. Anniversary-marking jets of flame blast into the night sky. Anticipation crackles around the famous old stadium, though that’ll be tempered with the knowledge that Villa’s recent record in the FA Cup is nothing short of disgraceful. Since reaching the final in 2015 – and there’s a match they’d rather forget – they’ve only won two FA Cup ties. Two! And those against lower-league sides in Wycombe and Middlesbrough.
Villa boss Unai Emery speaks to ITV. “Good evening … the history of this cup is very important … a way for us for a trophy … seven times Villa won, a long time ago … we are proud of those trophies Villa won … we need this competition … a chance to get to Europe … West Ham are going to be motivated … for every team it is important … we want to be a protagonist in this competition … we need to connect with our fans … our wish to win is strong.”
Continue reading…FA Cup updates from the 8pm GMT kick-off at Villa ParkLive scoreboard | Read Football Daily | And mail Scott |The teams take to the pitch. We already know about Villa’s black shirts; West Ham pair those with their fetching white and claret third kit. Everyone looking sharp, looking good. A brilliant under-the-lights £1.50-a-pint-fuelled atmosphere at Villa Park. Anniversary-marking jets of flame blast into the night sky. Anticipation crackles around the famous old stadium, though that’ll be tempered with the knowledge that Villa’s recent record in the FA Cup is nothing short of disgraceful. Since reaching the final in 2015 – and there’s a match they’d rather forget – they’ve only won two FA Cup ties. Two! And those against lower-league sides in Wycombe and Middlesbrough.Villa boss Unai Emery speaks to ITV. “Good evening … the history of this cup is very important … a way for us for a trophy … seven times Villa won, a long time ago … we are proud of those trophies Villa won … we need this competition … a chance to get to Europe … West Ham are going to be motivated … for every team it is important … we want to be a protagonist in this competition … we need to connect with our fans … our wish to win is strong.” Continue reading…
