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發表於 2010-2-24 11:56:18
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By Greg Stobart - Tuesday, 23 February, 2010
Villa boss yet to taste FA Cup Final victory in his career.
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Fifth Round Proper Replay
8pm, Wednesday 22 February
Villa Park, Aston Villa FC
Winning clubs receive £180,000 from The FA's prize fund
Click here for fixtures
It is one of the few trophies to have eluded him over a glittering career as both a player and manager, but Martin O'Neill is desperate to add an FA Cup winners' medal to his honours list.
The Aston Villa manager faces a busy week ahead, with an FA Cup Fifth Round Replay against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night to be followed by a trip to Wembley on Sunday for the League Cup final.
Their original clash against Neil Warnock's Championship side on Valentine's Day finished in a thrilling 2-2 draw after Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov scored a dramatic late equaliser.
Wednesday night's encounter at Villa Park promises to be another thrilling encounter, and will be screened live on TheFA.com.
"The FA Cup is a splendid competition - we've gone this far and we would love to stay in it," said O'Neill, ahead of the fixture. "It's not ideal that the replay is on the week of the League Cup final but it's preferable to not being in the tie!"
The winner of the clash will travel to either West Bromwich Albion or Reading, who also play their replay on Wednesday night, for the Sixth Round and will be one victory away from a Semi-Final appearance at Wembley.
However, O'Neill is refusing to get ahead of himself despite the fact that his team currently sit seventh in the Premier League and are pushing for a place in next season's Champions League.
"I watched the Quarter Final draw and I was as excited as ever to be in it," said the Northern Irishman. "But it would be a big mistake to think too far ahead because Crystal Palace will still have a major say in proceedings.
"Considering we were trailing 2-1 with five minutes left of the game at Selhurst Park, I'm just pleased we were in the hat for the Sixth Round. Crystal Palace played with huge determination and spirit, they will do it again in the replay and we have to respond to that."
The Birmingham-based side head into the game in good form after beating Burnley 5-2 on Sunday afternoon, but the former Celtic and Leicester City manager says his side must start again from scratch against Palace because The FA Cup can be so unpredictable.
"We've got a bunch of good players and when their confidence is high, it's a treat to watch," he added. "We have to start again on Wednesday night. It would be fantastic if we can carry on in that mould but we have to earn that."
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