Mings explains what major advantage could help Aston Villa win the FA Cup
Aston Villa are preparing for their biggest game of the season this weekend as they take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Unai Emery has the chance to end Villa’s major trophy drought this season, which dates back to 1996.
They face Crystal Palace on Saturday and could reach their first FA Cup final since 2015.
There will no doubt be an expectation on Villa to overcome the Eagles in the semi-finals, given their recent rise under Emery.
However, Tyrone Mings believes that the squad can use this to their advantage ahead of the tie.
Aston Villa ‘thrive’ under pressure ahead of FA Cup semi-final
Since Emery’s appointment, Villa have gone from a relegation-threatened side to Champions League quarter-finalists in less than three years.
Much of this is down to the Spaniard who has successfully guided the club through almost every test they have faced.
Villa were highly unlucky to go out of the Champions League in April, as they almost came back from a 4-1 deficit against PSG.
Due to the ever-present success of the club since Emery’s arrival, expectations at Villa Park have constantly increased.
| Aston Villa’s record against Crystal Palace | |
| Wins | 23 |
| Draws | 16 |
| Losses | 17 |
Now, ahead of their biggest game of the season, Mings insists that Villa “thrive” under pressure which could help them reach the final on Saturday.
Mings told Aston Villa: “The more we go into these big games – like the one against Man City – the more we expect to win. We went there on Tuesday expecting to win. We’ll go into Saturday expecting to win.
“There’s no team in the league now that we look at and think, ‘If we could just get a draw’. Maybe back in the day that would have been a good result.
“That shift brings a different level of pressure and expectation, but we’ve already shown this season that we can thrive in those situations.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited for the fans, for the occasion, for the battle – and hopefully, for the win.”
An FA Cup victory would make Unai Emery an Aston Villa legend
For a club like Villa, it is simply unacceptable how long they have gone without a major trophy.
There is no doubt that they have come close, with the Birmingham outfit reaching the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League last season.
However, it will take all of Villa’s might if they are to secure the FA Cup this season.
There is no reason why they cannot win the trophy. They have proved throughout the season that they are better than Crystal Palace and anything can happen in a final.
If they do manage to lift the cup, Emery would no doubt be a Villa legend.
The Spaniard has transformed the club from top to bottom, and a major honour would be the icing on the cake for his legacy.