Manchester United and Aston Villa progress in FA Cup
Monday 5th January 2009
With Manchester United away to league team Southampton and Aston Villa at minnows Gillingham there was the potential for two upsets in today's FA Cup ties. However, Manchester United coasted through an initially tricky game at Southampton after taking total control when the home side were reduced to 10 men in the first half. They went on to win by two goals to nil and now face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the next round.
Aston Villa also overcame a tricky game at Gillingham with a two one victory courtesy of a double by James Milner. As Martin O'Neill's team have now overcome a potential banana skin in round three they now move on to the next stage of the cup and an away tie at either Cheltenham or Doncaster. Any of these two teams would offer a tricky tie away from home but such is the confidence in the Aston Villa camp that many are backing them as outsiders for the cup.
Today's draw saw Liverpool set to face Everton in the next round, Chelsea or Southend at home to Ipswich, local rivals Derby and Nottingham Forest thrown together and Cardiff entertain the mighty Arsenal. There are some interesting ties in the next round and yet again a number of potential banana skins have appeared.
