Villa have a good record against Liverpool don't they? Especially at Anfield recently, so it'll certainly be a tough match. That is of course if Liverpool win at Ewood Park - itself a tricky game considering Blackburn's Cup exploits this year and Liverpool's struggle past Bolton.

Villa have a good record against Liverpool don't they? Especially at Anfield recently, so it'll certainly be a tough match. That is of course if Liverpool win at Ewood Park - itself a tricky game considering Blackburn's Cup exploits this year and Liverpool's struggle past Bolton.

 

That's because under Lambert Villa used to just hit us on the counter attack. If teams play open against us they generally lose if they have inferior players, under our current set up. Will be a tough game, but I would expect to beat both Villa & Blackburn. I wouldn't say Liverpool struggled against Bolton, but we lack great finishers in the team. Any team that sets up to defend for 90 minutes and hope for a counter attack is always difficult to play against.

Tomorrow night live on the BBC is the quarter-final replay between Reading and Bradford City.

 

Bradford finally getting live coverage from the BBC.

 

 

Reading for me. Obviously, you can never rule Bradford out, but Reading have the edge. They dug in impressively at Valley Parade and the regard of a semifinal against Arsenal should motivate the players and the crowd.

I think it will be a 2-1 win to Reading as you have to feel that Bradford City have missed out at the Valley Parade.

 

 

Pretty comfortable for Reading in the end, was impressed with the Bradford support though - vocal until the end and a solid turnout in the circumstances.

BBC will be showing the semi-final between Reading v Arsenal live and the other semi-final between Blackburn/Liverpool v Aston Villa will be shown live on BT Sport on Sunday 19th April at 16:00

Tonight is the replay between Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool. I'm expecting Liverpool to go through as the FA Cup is their main priority this season although Blackburn could give them a scare possibly.

 

 

Predictions ahead of the two semi-finals over the weekend.

 

Shame that the first semi-final between Reading v Arsenal will be overshadowed over Chelsea v Man Utd.

 

Reading v Arsenal 17:20 1-3

Aston Villa v Liverpool 16:00 (Sunday) 1-2

 

What do other people think?

Arsenal & Liverpool, one of those to go through after Extra Time.

Arsenal v Aston Villa final. Just so the media are thwarted from their Gerrard tributes :lol:

 

Personally, I think Villa will run Liverpool close, and its 50/50 as to who'll go through. Lots of the best finals of recent years have followed a Big Team vs. Underdog template.

Yeh Villa def won't be easy for the reds imo

The only thing that worries me with Villa is Benteke. I have a feeling Gerrard will play, and if Villa get players around Benteke on the counter then we will struggle. However if this is an open game then I can only see Liverpool winning.

 

Can't see anything other than a Arsenal vs Liverpool final.

Reading playing really well here so far. If they had a bit more quality when intercepting the ball they could be a couple of goals up here.

Reading playing really well here so far. If they had a bit more quality when intercepting the ball they could be a couple of goals up here.

 

Famous last words :lol:

 

Arsenal should step up a gear now you'd have thought. Just got that quality the commentators alluded to.

Deffo gave them the kiss of death!

This is so tight. Got a bad feeling Reading are going to produce something in the last ten minutes...

2nd half has been amazing!!

 

Can't believe how well Reading played, tho Ramsey :lol: Should have buried that.

Entertaining second half shame about the Reading goal, but it was deserved.

Very good second half of football, think Ramsey had the best chance by a mile. Would love Reading to win this.