Supervisor Unai Emery says Aston Villa are “not a contender” to win the FA Cup this season.
Villa host Championship strugglers Cardiff Metropolis on Friday for a spot within the quarter-finals.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have already been knocked out and Villa beat Premier League rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur within the earlier two rounds.
However Emery mentioned: “We’re not a contender within the FA Cup to win the title, however to attempt to compete within the competitors and have a technique to a trophy – and Europe is essential, and prestigious.
“Each membership, gamers and coaches like making an attempt for status. It might be the easiest way to qualify for Europe. We’ve 3 ways – the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup.”
Villa are tenth within the Premier League, with six of the groups above them nonetheless within the FA Cup.
At the least 4 top-flight groups will exit within the fifth spherical as there are 4 all-Premier League ties, and one Championship aspect is assured to be within the final eight as Preston host Lancashire rivals Burnley.
Requested why he doesn’t see Villa as a contender, Emery replied: “We’re not contenders. Why? As a result of there are different groups with extra choices than us to win this competitors.”
Friday’s sport is Villa’s fifth in 14 days they usually have a bunch of gamers dominated out or uncertain by way of harm.
Emiliano Martinez got here off at half-time in Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace and Emery mentioned Villa will decide on whether or not the Argentina goalkeeper performs after he trains on Thursday afternoon.
Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana are additionally uncertain, whereas Emery added that Matty Money might play.
Donyell Malen hopes to get well from an sickness however Pau Torres and Ross Barkley are out.
