Lambert aiming to secure Wembley outing

Bradford City v Aston Villa Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes reaching a Wembley final this season would be an “absolutely…

Bradford City v Aston VillaAston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes reaching a Wembley final this season would be an "absolutely phenomenal" achievement for his young side.

Villa have experienced mixed fortunes so far in what is a transitional first season under Lambert. They currently sit two places and one point above the Premier League relegation zone, but there remains a feel-good factor around Villa Park, not least with the team in the FA Cup fourth round and two matches away from a possible place in the Capital One Cup final.

They meet Bradford at Valley Parade in the first leg of that semi-final tonight knowing they are favourites to overcome the League Two outfit.

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

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Saturday’s 2-1 win over Ipswich in the FA Cup saw the return from injury of established stars Darren Bent, Charles N’Zogbia and Gabriel Agbonlahor and some of those could figure tonight.