FA Cup Semi Final Match Preview: Aston Villa v Liverpool

Who are we playing?
Liverpool on Sunday 19th April at 3.00pm

Where are we playing?
Wembley Stadium

Can I go?
Tickets sold out but there's always the odd spare floating about if you're bold enough to head down there without one. At least then you can soak up the pre-match atmosphere, even if you end up watching the game in a pub.

Easy to get to?
If you are mad enough to drive, best bet is to park away from Wembley and get the tube. Loads of coaches going, National Express do cheap deals for big footie matches and there's extra trains.

Can I watch it on telly?
BT Sport sadly.

You were at the Blackpool game, right?

Big game?
Meh...

It's a disgrace that the FA allow Premier League games to be scheduled in direct competition to both semi finals. They should be defending the integrity and importance of the competition and they simply aren't by allowing this.

Still if we win we get, er, a day out at Wembley...

You were at the Bournemouth game, right?

For us, getting to the final is a double edged sword. We are massively overdue for an FA Cup win but at the same time, we still have to fight for our lives to stay in the top flight. An FA Cup Final to look forward to (and not get injured for) would be an undoubted fillip but would also make that tricky climb to safety just that bit harder. Some players' minds are bound to wander. That's just human nature.

Mind you, when we were kids kicking a ball round the park, we dreamt of lifting the famous trophy at Wembley, not being delighted because we'd squeaked into 17th place.

You were at the Leicester game, right?

Whatever you think of Sherwood's tenure so far, it has - at the very least- been far more entertaining than the dross served up under Lambert. Many of us have questioned Tim's team selections and tactics, but to cut the guy a bit of slack, he has been severely hamstrung by injuries. Losing Ciaran Clark to ligament damage is a hammer blow (Who'd have thought we'd be thinking that a year ago) though Ron did look a bit more concrete and a bit less blancmange at Spurs.

Typical Liverpool fan

As underdog, this is virtually a free hit though. For a Liverpool who have largely disappointed after a last season's heroic failure, this is a massive deal. Champions League football is looking highly unlikely and Rodgers may well need to claim a bit of silverware to keep if not the supporters then the press off his back.

Do Liverpool have any famous fans?
A big hello to Jason Isaacs!

There's also Ian Beale off of EastEnders and controversial pop star Lana del Rey

We've got heir to the throne the Duke of Cambridge AND fiddle playing scruffbox Nigel Kennedy.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
Injuries still an issue. Ciaran Clark is definitely a non-starter (could be a good while before we see him again). Gabby is struggling with a niggle which means he would be a big risk but Scott Sinclair is training again and knows where the goal is. If Liverpool are too wary of Big Chris Benteke, Scott may well get the space to be dangerous. Amidst rumours that he's not Sherwood's type of player, Ashley Westwood rejoins the squad.

Who's playing for them?
Sturridge is a big doubt. Steve Gerrard is available if selected.

John Cowan

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go (you might want to skip this bit):

• John Cowan scored twice and Charlie Athersmith got the other as we beat Liverpool 3-0 in our first ever FA Cup encounter in 1897

• We met Liverpool in the 1914 semi final at White Hart Lane. Liverpool won this one 2-0 with both goals from Jimmy Nicholl

Jinxed

• We didn't meet them in the cup again until a 4th Round encounter in 1967 at Anfield. Liverpool won 1-0 with Ian St John getting the goal

• Our next cup pairing with them was again at Anfield in 1985. A brace from Ian Rush and one from John Wark saw them through 3-0 in the 3rd Round clash.

• Three years later and a 4th Round match at Villa Park sees us go down 2-0 with goals from John Barnes and Peter Beardsley

• We wore the MASSIVELY JINXED "Brazilian style" away kit in the 1992 Quarter final at Anfield. We went down 1-0 to Liverpool thanks to a goal from Michael Thomas (though it was John Barnes cracking through ball that made it). Still rankles that defeat. 

• The last time Liverpool played Villa in the FA Cup was the semi-final in 1996, when the Reds won 3-0 at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Robbie Fowler (2) and Jason McAteer after the cheating bastards crocked Gareth Southgate early doors

Prediction
Penalties