Royals target Villa scalp

McDermott ready for FA Cup challenge

Last updated: 4th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Royals target Villa scalp

McDermott: Villa test

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Brian McDermott has set his sights on a third Premier League scalp as Reading prepare to tackle Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

The Royals will be making their first quarter-final appearance in the competition since 1927 having already seen off Liverpool, Burnley and West Brom en route to the last eight.

Villa make the trip to the Madejski Stadium on Sunday just a week after being beaten by Manchester United in the final of the Carling Cup.

McDermott was at Wembley to scout their top-flight opponents and knows his Championship outfit will have to be at their best to progress.

"On Sunday, we'll have to concentrate on our strengths and play to our strengths," he told the club's official website.

History

"We'll have a game plan against them and we'll try to make the next round and make that little bit more history.

"Villa are strong, quick and they've got pace all over the team. They've got a chance of making the Champions League and it shows what a fantastic job Martin has done.

"I was at the Carling Cup final on Sunday and it was a great game. Villa are a good side, United have real quality too and came out on top but it was close."

McDermott has hailed O'Neill's achievements at Villa Park and is looking forward to locking horns with the former Wycombe manager once again.

He added: "Martin is a top guy and has been a top manager for a number of years.

"I can go back as far as when he was at Wycombe, they were in the Conference and I was assistant manager at Yeovil, our manager was away so I took the team against him and it was a draw in the end."