Aston Villa manager John Gregory has admitted that the "lowest point" of his managerial career will be at the forefront of his mind when his side aim for FA Cup glory in tomorrow's semi-final against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley (UTV, kickoff 3.0).
Gregory was devastated by Villa's League Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Leicester City this season when he branded his side "chokers." Now he has the chance to make amends against Sam Allardyce's First Division giant-killers as Villa strive to secure their first FA Cup final appearance in 43 years.
Gregory admitted: "The defeat at Leicester will without question be at the front of our minds. It was a terrible feeling in the dressing-room afterwards. . .
"It was the lowest point of my managerial career. I can't think of anything worse than that - and I and the boys want to put it right on Sunday.
"We are 90 minutes from an FA Cup final. The Leicester feeling will still be there, but we are very positive about the game and are not looking at the down side." Gregory admits that his biggest selection dilemma will revolve around who to play in the centre of the park with Paul Merson, Lee Hendrie, George Boateng, Ian Taylor and Steve Stone vying for three places.
He said: "That will be the hardest part. It's been tough on Lee in that he's not been a regular for the last month. It's been difficult for Steve. . . Ian Taylor has also been fantastic, but he was on the substitutes' bench at Liverpool.
"There are one or two players who do not deserve to be out of the side who have found themselves on the bench. But I can only pick three from five in midfield."
A certain starter is Merson, who has been in brilliant form this season, and Gregory refuses to write off his striker's Euro 2000 hopes despite his decision to retire from international football.
He said: "He is one of those who has made our team tick in the last 20 odd matches with his goals and `assists.' He's been a massive player for us in that time. "As regards England, if he continues to perform well between now and when the squad is announced then he would have to come into contention. If the England manager wanted him to play, I don't think Paul would take too much convincing." Gregory's other selection poser for Sunday is whether to include Dion Dublin for his first start since he broke his neck against Sheffield Wednesday in December. He made his comeback as a late substitute in last weekend's win over Derby and Gregory admitted he "would be tempted" to put him in the starting line-up.
