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FA Cup Preview: Doncaster Rovers – Aston Villa

What: FA Cup, Fourth Round
Who: Doncaster Rovers (Championship, 22nd) v Aston Villa (Premier League, 4th)
When: Saturday 24 January 2009, 15.00
Where: Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster

Jan 23, 2009 12:15:19 PM

FA Cup: James Milner, Gillingham v Aston Villa (PA)

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FA Cup: James Milner, Gillingham v Aston Villa (PA)

Teams

History Repeating

The fourth round of the FA Cup arrives at the Keepmoat Stadium with Championship strugglers Doncaster Rovers hoping to provide an upset against Champions League chasing Aston Villa.

The Cup is a bright spot in what has been a difficult season for Rovers who, despite being unbeaten in their last five games, remain in the Championship’s drop zone.

The Vikings even required a replay to see off League One side Cheltenham Town in the third round, a match they finally won 3-0, but will be hoping to give Martin O’Neill’s men an uncomfortable afternoon.

Surprisingly, history favours the Championship side who secured a memorable victory against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup in 2005.

Rovers claimed a shock 3-0 victory at their old Belle Vue ground to dump Villa out of the competition, a game which saw both Gareth Barry and James Milner feature for the Premier League side.

Whilst the venue will change for the FA Cup, with the tie will be played at the club’s new Keepmoat Stadium, Donny fans will be hoping the result stays the same.

Weakened Side

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has hinted that he will bring a weakened side north after admitting that the Premier League has become his priority this season.

An impressive campaign sees Villa lying fourth in the table and with Champions League qualification a real prospect for O’Neill’s side, the Midlanders are desperate not to waste an exceptional opportunity.

Injuries and suspensions will ensure some of Villa’s key players, such as Martin Laursen and Ashley Young, will miss the game and whilst O’Neill has insisted he will treat the FA Cup with the respect it deserves, his words must hand Rovers some hope of causing an upset.

Villa made hard work of League Two side Gillingham in the third round, enduring a nervy ending before finally sealing a 2-1 win, and whilst anything other than a win for the Villans would be seen as a shock, they will underestimate Doncaster at their peril.

FORM GUIDE

Last Five Results

Doncaster Rovers

Jan 20: Doncaster 3-0 Cheltenham
Jan 17: Southampton 1-2 Doncaster
Jan 13: Cheltenham 0-0 Doncaster
Dec 28: Doncaster 2-1 Burnley
Dec 26: Nottingham Forest 2-4 Doncaster

Aston Villa

Jan 17: Sunderland 1-2 Aston Villa
Jan 10: Aston Villa 2-1 West Brom
Jan 04: Gillingham 1-2 Aston Villa
Dec 30: Hull 0-1 Aston Villa
Dec 26: Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

TEAM NEWS

Doncaster

James Chambers is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season and a one match ban against Southampton and Gareth Roberts should fill in for the left back.

Paul Heffernan, James O’Connor and Matthew Mills who were all pre-match doubts, should be fit.

Possible Starting XI: Sullivan, O'Connor, Mills, Hird, Roberts, Woods, Stock, Wellens, Coppinger, Guy, Spicer.

Aston Villa

Ashley Young and Curtis Davies are both suspended whilst Martin Laursen joins John Carew and Wilfred Bouma on the injured list.

Possible Starting XI: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Cuellar, Knight, Shorey, Sidwell, Petrov, Gardner, Milner, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Doncaster – Brian Stock

Skipper Brian Stock is Rovers’ top scorer this season with six goals, and hit a double against Cheltenham in the third round to secure his side’s meeting with Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old possesses a fierce shot and Villa will also need to watch his runs from midfield if they are to nullify this threat.

Aston Villa – James Milner

During his first spell at Villa Park, James Milner was part of the side that lost 0-3 to Doncaster in the Carling Cup four years ago.

The midfielder has spoken of his desire to put that result behind him this week and having been Villa’s saviour in the third round he will be hoping to continue his good FA Cup form.

With Ashley Young suspended, Villa will look to Milner for inspiration and with revenge on his mind, he could be the difference between the two sides.

PREDICTION

Despite the fact they will be huge favourites to go through this promises to be a tough test for high-flying Aston Villa.

Whilst their league form has been imperious this season, they have looked vulnerable at times in cup competition and with a number of key players missing, Doncaster will fancy their chances on home soil.

However, even with a weakened side Villa’s greater quality should prevail and they will be expected to book their place in the fifth round.

Prediction: Doncaster 1-2 Aston Villa

Gill Clark, Goal.com

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