Villa teens ready for semi-final

Villa youth team boss Tony McAndrew has revealed he’s got FA Youth Cup opponents Chelsea taped as they prepare for their semi-final tonight.

McAndrew takes his Villa cubs to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of their last four clash before the return on March 19.

And after beating Crewe, Colchester, Ipswich and Carlisle already, McAndrew revealed nothing had been left to chance.

“We’ve got video of their last two rounds and we’ve got reports on them, so we know what we’re up against,” said McAndrew, a former Chelsea midfielder.

“We’ll let the players have a look at that and then we’ll concentrate on how we’re going to play.

“Chelsea have got some talented footballers. They’re really comfortable on the ball and they move the ball well.

“It’s a tough game for us and we’ll need to play well. We’ve identified things we need to work on that may give us a bit of joy, but if we allow them to play, they will.”

Manager Martin O’Neill has already awarded professional contracts to midfielder Harry Forrester and striker Nathan Delfouneso and has high hopes for the under-18s.

After flying back from Spain to be at the last round in Carlisle, O’Neill is likely to be an interested spectator again and for most of the players, it will be their first time playing at one of the ‘big four’ stadiums.

But McAndrew also stressed the need for his players to focus more on what they can do, rather than Chelsea.

“We need to be aware of what they can do, but more importantly we need to concentrate on what we do,” he said. “If we play well, I think it will take a good team to knock us out.

“I had a quick look at the team we played in the league earlier this season (won 2-1) and eight of them played against Port Vale in the quarter-final.”

McAndrew has also urged Villa to enjoy the occasion.

“We just want to play well and enjoy the experience. It’s a fantastic education for the kids,” he said.

“It may be the FA Youth Cup and there may not be many people there, but to go to a stadium like Stamford Bridge is a big thing for these kids.

“The big thing is to enjoy it, not get overawed by it and not to freeze.

“They need to enjoy the experience and perform because this is what they should be aiming for every single week of their lives – playing in these massive stadiums.”

McAndrew revealed Villa will be trying to win both legs, adding: “The fact this it’s over two legs shouldn’t really change our approach.

“We want to win both games, but you’ve got to do make sure you’re still in the tie after the first game.

“It’s a two-legged semi-final and that’s a whole different scenario and our approach is important.

“If we’re too negative we might get found out, so it’s a question of getting the balance right between being in the tie for the home leg and not being ultra defensive.

“If the players play to their potential it could be a cracking game.”