Aston Villa, Unai Emery
(Credit: Imago)
Villa News Speaking to Bryan King
Thu 20 March 2025 16:10, UK
Aston Villa will be feeling “uncomfortable” with Unai Emery’s side set to be impacted by a recent official FA announcement.
Emery still has the chance to win two trophies with Villa this season, with Gabby Agbonlahor hailing the Spaniard for his work at Villa Park.
The 53-year-old has led the Villans to the quarter-finals of both the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, which would go a long way in explaining why Manchester United are circling around Emery.
However, it looks as though the club’s FA Cup quarter-final clash is set to be impacted after a recent official FA announcement.
Unai Emery
Emery will be desperate to lift the FA Cup with Aston Villa (Credit: Imago)
FA make announcement about Preston v Aston Villa
It was announced by the FA on Monday (17 March) that while VAR will be in place for all four FA Cup quarter-final ties, Aston Villa’s clash with Preston North End at Deepdale on Sunday 30 March will be the only tie to not trial new semi-automated offside technology.
This is because Deepdale is the only non-Premier League ground hosting an FA Cup quarter-final this season.
FA Cup quarter-finals Venue Date
Fulham v Crystal Palace Craven Cottage 29 March
Brighton v Nottingham Forest AMEX Stadium 29 March
Preston v Aston Villa Deepdale 30 March
Bournemouth v Manchester City Vitality Stadium 30 March
FA Cup quarter-final ties 2024/25
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However, ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – doesn’t understand why something cannot be arranged, criticising the FA for the latest decision.
“I cannot believe this to be honest with you,” King said.
“There are only four matches. How can they not arrange to have the same facilities at a Championship ground? In this situation, with all the controversy around the offside rule, I’d imagine Aston Villa will feel as uncomfortable about this as Preston do.
“These things should have been thought about before. Are the FA reliant on only Premier League clubs making it to the last eight of the FA Cup? We’ve known what the ties are for a couple of weeks now, surely things could have been put in place.
“It can’t be that complicated. If VAR is going to be installed, why can’t they put in the semi-automated offside technology. This is once again a sign of incompetence on the part of the FA.”
Emery must guide Villa past Preston
While the absence of semi-automated offside technology for Villa’s clash with Preston does represent a slight inconsistency, this will not be a suitable excuse for Emery or his players.
A host of big clubs have already been knocked out of the FA Cup, with Villa and City arguably the two favourites. Therefore, Emery must ensure his side makes it to the final four of the competition, for which there are no excuses as they are the only team not playing a Premier League side in the next round.
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