Forget about what happened in the past, and let’s look forward to now. Villa head down to Reading tomorrow in the Quarter finals of the FA Cup and we want to go back to Wembley.

A lot is being made of this theory that Villa haven’t won in March under Martin O’Neill but I fully expect this voodoo, or whatever you want to call it to be broken, and broken in style as Reading face the backlash of last week’s result.

Villa will be backed by a strong 4,000 travelling fans as Villa sold their whole capacity for the game earlier on in the week.

The FA Cup is known to be the romantic cup, they cup that allows the giant killings and Reading is proof of this. With a massive victory over Liverpool under their belts they are going to want to repeat that result against Villa.

Reading will be without on-loan Blackburn defender Zurab Khizanishvili (Cup Tied), Jobi McAnuff (Suspended), Jem Karacan (Hand Injury), and Kalifa Cisse (dead leg). However, the good news for the Royals is Shane Long should return to the bench.

Villa should have a full side to pick from as long as non on the International stars have returned with injuries.

Reading won’t just roll over and die in this game and they will put on a battle, but I fully expect Villa to win here simply because we are the better side.

Avillafan.com Prediction: Away Win.

This is the game we all didn’t want and it won’t be the most entertaining of football games but never the less the games on and if the game at Selhurst Park is anything to go by, we are in for quite a game.

On paper you would think this should be a comfortable victory for O’Neill and the boys, but I’m sure Neil Warnock will have different ideas.

With Villa on a high following last weekend’s victory over Burnley and with one eye on the Cup Final I can only see a win for the home side in this game and I would imagine they will go out all guns blazing from the off just to get things done and dusted as soon as.

I expect Villa to get a few goals to, Palace had their chance of a giant killing in the first game and teams don’t usually get a second look in when it comes to Premiership teams.

Palace have sold just over 3,000 so far and some will be able to buy tickets on the night, so there should be a crowd size of around 30,000.

Stiliyan Petrov is almost certainly out of the game while Gabriel Agbonlahor is also a doubt.

AVILLAFAN.COM Prediction: Home win.

Burnley travel to Villa Park tomorrow to take on an Aston Villa side that are yet to lose in 2010, however four of Villa’s five in this time have ended in draws.

While Burnley have only managed a single point away from home this season and conceded a massive 38 goals on their travels – the worst in the Premier League.

With Villa playing Palace in midweek, three days before the cup final there are questions to what players will play, and who will be rested. And the side Martin picks will show his intentions for the season.

Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey are still question marks but both have trained this week. Stiliyan Petrov will continue to captain the side despite carrying nagging ankle and Achilles problems.

Burnley are expected to welcome back Leon Cort who’s been out with a groin strain. Veteran Graham Alexander, missing for the last three weeks with a calf problem, is rated 50-50 to return.

Stephen Jordan (hamstring) and Chris McCann (knee) could come back into contention but Steven Caldwell (groin) is still sidelined.

With Villa still chasing a top four spot and Burnley wanting to get out of the bottom three this has the potential to be a very good game; however I think Villa will come out victorious.

AVILLAFAN Prediction: Home Win

Villa head down to Selhurst Park looking to book a place in the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup, and more importantly, look for a second trip to Wembley this season.
It’s no secret that Crystal Palace recently went into administration, but unlike most sides, who suffer from this, Neil Warnock has rallied his troops together and they have put a nice little run together, including a 3-1 over Wolves in the last round of the FA Cup.
Palace is expected to make around £500,000 from this game from television rights will keep the administrators happy.
Crystal Palace have lost just two games in there last eleven, while Villa are undefeated this year with no defeats in nine games in all competitions.
The Eagles will give late fitness tests to defenders Matt Lawrence, and Claude Davis. Lawrence has been suffering with hamstring problems, while Davis has a sore groin.
They will be missing Lee Hills, Kieran Cadogon, and Stern John who are all cup tied.
Stiliyan Petrov and Gabriel Agbonlahor both look set to miss the game as Martin O’Neill rated them doubtful and wouldn’t want to risk them.
Emile Heskey and Stephen Warnock both returned to training this week but there are also question marks over whether they will feature or not.
Martin O’Neill will no doubt continue to make changes as he tends to for Cup Competitions with Brad Guzan, Steve Sidwell, Nathan Delfouneso, Habib Beye and Curtis Davis all set to start.
This will be no easy fixture, as we will remember from a Neil Warnock side when he beat us in this very competition a few years ago with Sheffield United. However, if Villa plays like we know they can we should be in the draw for the next round.

Avillafan.com Prediction: Away Win.

What a game we have at Villa Park tonight, a Carling Cup Final Preview, Aston Villa vrs Manchester United.

Since Villa’s historic win up at Old Trafford earlier in the season Manchester United have only lost one league game since, and that was away at Craven Cottage.

While Villa on the other hand look solid at the back at the moment, with four clean sheets in the last four games.

Teamnews for Villa see’s Emile Heskey very doubtful with a groin problem which could see a start for John Carew, while Stephen Warnock is still out.

I wish i could say for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is suspended but it simple isnt the case. The only player they are missing is Rio Ferdinand who will be serving his third game from his four match ban. Nemanja Vidic could play some part and play his first game in 2010.

If Villa manage a victory over the Red Devils it will be there first League double over Alex Ferguson’s side in 55 years.

Its going to be a very hard game and when you have in my opinion the best player in the World in your side, in Wayne Rooney anything is possible.

AVILLAFAN.COM Prediction: Draw