Local Derby In The FA Cup?

Last updated : 25 January 2010 By Tom Vickers

Villa could face a local derby in the FA Cup fifth round after being drawn away against the winner of the Wolves/Crystal Palace tie.

Martin O'Neill's men will find out their opponents when the two sides - who drew 2-2 at Molineux on Saturday - replay at Selhurst Park on Tuesday February 2.

A match-up with Mick McCarthy's Wolves would certainly be a highly anticipated encounter and with West Brom and Birmingham still in the competition, the prospect of more local derbies looms large.

But, all of the focus now rests on who awaits the Claret and Blue cup kings in the next round and the likelihood is that it will be Palace who triumph.

Neil Warnock's spirited side battled brilliantly at the weekend and with Wolves resting key players like Kevin Doyle and Jody Craddock, the south London outfit almost finished the tie off there and then.

Palace were denied the win by a late Ronald Zubar leveller but after getting the better of their Premier League opponents on that occasion they will be confident of claiming a cup date with Villa when the home replay comes calling.