Express & Star

Big Ron: FA Cup derby is bigger for Albion and Villa

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Former Villa and West Brom boss Ron Atkinson believes tomorrow's FA Cup quarter-final derby is even bigger than Tuesday's Premier League clash between the pair.

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And he reckons fans could be in for a fourth dose of derby action this season in the form of a sixth-round replay next month.

Villa celebrated a huge win on Tuesday as Christian Benteke's stoppage-time penalty took them out of the top-flight relegation zone with a dramatic 2-1 win against the Baggies.

But 'Big Ron', who won the FA Cup twice with Manchester United, led Villa to League Cup triumph and managed one of Albion's most famous sides, believes victory tomorrow would mean even more to either set of fans.

The 75-year-old said: "I know the clubs might say this season is all about staying in the Premier League, but tell that to the fans.

"I still think the FA Cup is a magnificent competition and I know the fans do too.

"If there is a chance of getting to Wembley for a semi-final then the fans will be desperate to take it.

"This is a really big game for the crowd and I think it will be really close. There was so little in the first game on Tuesday that it wasn't settled until right at the end.

"I would expect there not to be much in this game, either, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a replay."

Albion handed Villa victory in the dying seconds on Tuesday when a series of errors from goalkeeper Ben Foster gave the hosts a spot-kick, from which Benteke grabbed the winner.

But 'Big Ron' is in no doubt that Foster should keep his place for the rematch, saying: "At this stage as a manager the only thing I would be thinking about is getting a place in the semi-finals.

"So I would be looking to pick the best team possible. Maybe Villa will be a bit more relaxed than they would have been if they hadn't won on Tuesday, but it's still a really close game.

"I'm not sure Albion will be any more determined than they would have been. If you can't get yourselves determined to get to an FA Cup semi-final there's something wrong."

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