Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa LIVE: FA Cup semi-final team news and line-ups – UK Times

Decisions, decisions for Unai Emery today, the Aston Villa boss with a problem of plenty in forward areas with a number of attackers in form. Ollie Watkins definitely fancies a start, as Richard Jolly heard earlier this week

At Crystal Palace over the last few days, Oliver Glasner has been finalising hard work on Aston Villa’s midfield with a light touch. The Austrian is appealing to his players’ childhood love for the game, telling them to listen to the schoolyard near the training ground. The point is to remind them that occasions like an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley are to be savoured, rather than feel intimidated by. This, in short, is why you got into football.

You could forgive Palace feeling some pressure this weekend, mind. They are the only one of the four clubs left to have never won a major trophy. It is no exaggeration to say it means more to them.

That is not to dismiss the long waits for silverware that Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have themselves endured, since either getting to the final would be an immense occasion, too. Their runs have nevertheless been part of greater surges. Both are aiming for the Champions League, with qualification likely to embolden two upwardly mobile clubs. Clearly, more is coming.

It’s FA Cup semi-final weekend, four fanbases ready to descend on Wembley as their sides eye a shot at the annual showpiece. And what an intriguing bunch of clubs it is, too, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest joining perennial contenders in Manchester City to vie for cup success.

Saturday evening’s fare could be fascinating as Palace clash with Villa in a meeting of two savvy managers and talented squads – kick off is at 5.15pm BST.