Reading v Aston Villa preview

Long returns from suspension; O'Neill waiting on Dunne

Last updated: 5th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Reading v Aston Villa preview

McDermott: Cup romance

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Reading are arguably the last remaining evidence of the real romance of the FA Cup in this season's competition as the Championship side aim for a third top-flight scalp against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

The Royals are struggling in the second tier, despite hammering Sheffield Wednesday in their last outing, and avoiding relegation to League One remains the priority for Brian McDermott's side.

But having booked a first quarter-final since 1927 after seeing off Liverpool, Burnley and West Brom, Reading are relatively undaunted by the visit of UEFA Champions League hopefuls Villa.

Martin O'Neill's side are involved in the fierce fight for fourth place in the Premier League and will be in a determined mood after suffering final heartbreak in the Carling Cup following last Sunday's defeat to Manchester United.

The trip to the Madejski Stadium continues a crucial period for Villa, which began with the league hammering of Burnley at the end of February, and O'Neill is desperate not to see a promising campaign fade in a similar scenario to last season.

McDermott has made little secret of his respect for O'Neill in the build-up to kick-off, but an appreciation for the work of his opposite number will be put on hold when the action commences.

Setback

Reading will be boosted by the return of striker Shane Long as the Republic of Ireland international has missed the last four games through suspension after he was sent off in the fifth-round draw with West Brom.

But he may have to make do with a place on the bench due to the Royals' recent good form.

Winger Jobi McAnuff is suspended, however, while on-loan Blackburn defender Zurab Khizanishvili is cup-tied and will miss out.

Midfielders Jem Karacan and Kalifa Cisse remain sidelined through a hand injury and a dead leg, respectively.

O'Neill will wait to check if any of his international stars have suffered setbacks during the recent break for friendlies, but otherwise he is expected to select a similar starting XI to that which began the Carling Cup final.

Defender Richard Dunne pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face Brazil through a muscle injury, but the centre-back is likely to return.

Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov overcame a virus to start against United and should again skipper his side.

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