Lambert: Final would be huge

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert says reaching the Capital One Cup final would be an "absolutely phenomenal" achievement for his young side.

Last Updated: 08/01/13 at 19:11 Post Comment   

Paul Lambert: Says reaching Capital One Cup final would be huge

Paul Lambert: Says reaching Capital One Cup final would be huge

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

Villa's squad - the youngest in the Premier League - have had a rollercoaster ride in Lambert's first season in charge.

They are two places above the relegation zone after a wildly inconsistent season, but they are also through to the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup and the fourth round of the FA Cup.

They take on League Two Bradford in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday and - regardless of the level of opposition - Lambert says reaching the final would be huge for the club.

"For this club to get to Wembley again would be extraordinary," he said. "In a one-off game there you just never know what could happen.

"To get there I think every player would tell you would be absolutely phenomenal."

Asked whether it would surpass any of his previous achievements, the former Scotland international said: "I think it would, yes.

"I never view it as any great achievement on my own behalf. It's the players and the fans.

"I never really look at myself and think 'I'm going to do that' because it is irrelevant. The important thing is what happens to this club and the players."

Tuesday's hosts Bradford, who have already knocked out Arsenal and Wigan, are without a win in their last three games but Lambert expects a tough night.

"Of course it will be," he said. "It will be a different team to the one that got beaten by Barnet at the weekend. You have to withstand that and be ready for it.

"The Bradford lads will give it everything they have got to try to turn us over. If we do what we have been doing that of late and match that then we'll see what happens.

"It's always tough. Bradford have got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Obviously it is a two-legged affair. We'll go up there and we know it will be a really good atmosphere.

"I've been up there before and it will be a tough game for us. But if we play we have been of late, we'll see."

TEAMtalk Facebook Fan Page

The TEAMtalk fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Champions League final: Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says side can bounce back

Jurgen Klopp is backing Borussia Dortmund to reach another Champions League final despite their defeat to Bayern Munich.

Champions League final: Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben relieved by Wembley win

Bayern Munich hero Arjen Robben admitted winning the UEFA Champions League buried his previous demons.

Champions League final: Mats Hummels salutes Bayern Munich after Wembley win

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels admitted Bayern Munich deserved to be crowned champions of Europe.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved