Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood is relishing the club’s underdog tag ahead of the FA Cup final at the weekend and says they can upset holders Arsenal by bringing the trophy back to Villa Park.
SEE ALSO:
Arsenal working on signing Serie A trio to strengthen team’s spine, including two Man Utd targets
Arsenal flop close to agreeing Galatasaray transfer
Arsenal make contact over star South Korean midfielder
The Gunners, who lifted the trophy for a record equaling 11th time last season, go into the showpiece occasion at Wembley as heavy favourites after completing a league double over the Villains this season without conceding a goal.
But Sherwood has insisted the two league encounters will count for nothing by the time kick-off comes around on Saturday evening:
“It’s a one-off game and form goes out the window.” The former Tottenham boss told reporters (via The Sun).
“They are the holders of the trophy and it is going to be very difficult for us but we are not just there to make the numbers up, but to give them a good game.”
“The boys performed on a big stage against Liverpool and we thoroughly deserved to win that game and we are hoping we can do the same against Arsenal.” Sherwood added.
Villa have been a surprise package in the competition this season and have advanced to the final despite their league form which saw them fight for survival for most of the campaign.
The highlight of their run was the 2-1 win over Liverpool in the semi-final as goals from Christian Benteke and captain Fabian Delph completed a comeback victory and sealed a first FA Cup final appearance for the club in over a decade.