FA Cup Is The Focus...Still

Last updated : 01 March 2010 By Tom Vickers

So, the 2010 Carling Cup final went the wrong way and Villa fans were left heartbroken just like 10 years ago.

On that occasion it was Chelsea - in the FA Cup final - who ended the chances of a podium celebration for the Claret and Blue, this time it was Manchester United.

But with disappointment comes determination. Determination to come back stronger. Determination to show the world your real credentials. And, for Villa, determination to get back to Wembley this season.

Martin O'Neill's men have every chance of doing just that as they take on Reading on Sunday in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

And that clash is simply massive. To be honest it always would have been, whatever the result in the first real showpiece of the season.

A Carling Cup win would have been toasted long and hard by fans of the success starved Midlands side, but an FA Cup win would inspire wild celebrations.

That is because one of the oldest trophies of them all is the number one for all of football's romantics.

It has a habit of inspiring great stories and it would be a real fairytale if Villa could claim that particular piece of silverware in May. It would be the perfect tonic in fact.

O'Neill and co actually have every chance of doing the business and ending the season in style.

Only one of the so called Big Four remain in the competition - Chelsea - and they face a testing home tie against Stoke City.

Villa take on Reading at the Madejski. The Royals may be resurgent but they are the only Championship side left in the competition and will remain underdogs for one of the biggest matches in their history this Sunday.

It is a real chance to show bouncebackability after the disappointment caused by Wayne Rooney, Phil Dowd etc etc.

Another visit to the most famous stadium in world football int the most famous competition in world football would be brilliant.

It would matter more than any League Cup visit. As you could see from the muted celebrations from the Manchester side of the stadium, it didn't matter too much to the fans or the players in red.

They too would rather win the FA Cup than it's lesser sibling.

This is not a case of calling a competition mickey mouse when you've lost out in it, it is just a fact. The FA Cup is big, very big and a win for Villa in it would be too enormous to even describe.