Aston Villa

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on team news: "I think the only player a doubt for tomorrow is Ross Barkley. Oh, of course, we are going to train now this afternoon, and with players like Emi Martinez, Leon Bailey and Andres Garcia, we will see how they are physically and hopefully, we can keep the players we have now who have been available for the last few months."

Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on the strength of his squad: "Two years ago, we finished the season strong. We drew against Liverpool and won against Brighton at home. Last year, we finished the season very tired, there wasn't enough energy, and we lost the last match against Crystal Palace away.

"This year, my idea and how we are now planning the rest of the season is to try to finish with full energy."

A reminder that after the FA Cup quarter-final, Villa face Brighton and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League before PSG in the Champions League. All in the space of 11 days.

Right then, we're going to hear from Aston Villa boss Unai Emery now.

They make the trip north to Preston in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final.

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Preston North End will take part in an FA Cup quarter-final for the first time in 59 years on Sunday afternoon.

The last time they were here was 1966 - a 4-2 aggregate defeat by Sir Matt Busby's Manchester United side saw them knocked out that day.

They may be one of the four of the remaining eight sides left that have won this competition in the past but it really puts it into perspective just how long ago that was when you consider how long it has been since they even made it to this stage.

They reached the final two years prior to that last quarter-final appearance but were defeated 3-2 by West Ham United.

The last time they got their hands on the trophy itself was in 1938, beating Huddersfield 1-0 after extra-time at Wembley.

Conquering Aston Villa may not result in silverware on Sunday but after being starved in the FA Cup for so long, it could feel just as good.

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Preston midfielder Stefan Thordarson on the popularity of the FA Cup and how the magic of the cup is still very much alive:

"The English Premier League and the cups are huge back home. You always watch it and the teams and it's big everywhere.

"That's a bit of magic that a team in the Championship is one of the last eight when you look at the teams that are playing in the Premier League and those teams are playing in the champions league.

"It's harder and harder but we've shown this year that teams like us can do it."

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Continuity has been key to Brighton's successful transition to Fabian Hurzeler's methods, whose own ideas of football aren't that different from his predecessor, as he revealed earlier in the season.

"He brought this current energy to the players," said Fabian Hurzeler, when talking about De Zerbi.

"So I don't have to make a complete turnaround of the players because they were familiar with this."

The young German's arrival has seen him implement some key principles, one being overloading the opposition's last line of defence with attackers and midfielders.

"You occupy opponents more if you have more players in the last line," he added.

"Then you create more dynamism with deep runs and how many players can create deep runs."

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BBC Sport's Ninad Barbadikar on the impact of Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba: "In Carlos Baleba, Hurzeler also has a gem of a midfielder, whose combination of athleticism and technique makes him a unique threat in the middle of the park.

"The 21-year-old recovers possession from opposition attackers more often than any other Brighton outfielder, averaging 6.53 possessions won per match.

"He ranks fifth among his Seagulls team-mates for progressive carries - 10.39 per match - as he helps his team by breaking up play and furthering the ball into the opposition half.

"After struggling to nail down a spot under Robert De Zerbi, Baleba has become the heartbeat of the Albion midfield.

"Bold ideas and bold players have once again given flight to European aspirations and, with a Wembley final potentially on the cards, the Seagulls continue to soar to higher levels under Fabian Hurzeler."

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest striker on BBC's Football News Show

On whether the FA Cup is a priority for Brighton: Winning their first major trophy is high on the agenda, especially after we have seen Newcastle winning the League Cup and how special it can be.

If Brighton get past Forest, it's a nice day out at Wembley for the fans and players - but they have been there before on a couple of occasions, it is about taking that next step now and getting to the final.

As far as Brighton are concerned, the last international break was a chance to recuperate for a couple of the older guys - I know Danny Welbeck remained at the training ground who has been one of the main guys for them. It is a chance to rest up for the final push.

For Crystal Palace, Fulham, Brighton and Bournemouth, this could be history.

These four clubs have never lifted the FA Cup and are three wins away from doing so.

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Chris Sutton
BBC Sport football expert

Crystal Palace won at Craven Cottage at the end of February and it is a ground where they have a decent record - they haven't lost there in their past six visits, since 2005.

It's a boost for Palace that Jean-Philippe Mateta is available to lead their attack - he can play wearing a special mask to protect his ear after his injury against Millwall in the fifth round - but we will have to see how much he has been affected by such a horrific challenge.

The Eagles are a well-balanced team who seem to be improving all the time under Oliver Glasner - they have lost only two of their past 14 games in all competitions.

I've found Fulham hard to predict this season because they've been less reliable than usual at home, but they are still having a strong campaign - they are in the mix for the Champions League places, and are only three points behind fifth-placed City.

Palace are very strong on the road but they have not played for the past three weeks - their game against Newcastle before the international break was postponed because of the Carabao Cup final.

We often talk about teams needing a rest, but my concern is how that break has affected their momentum.

This is going to be a close game, but I actually fancy Fulham to edge it. Marco Silva's side have got goals in them, and my gut feeling is that they will get through in 90 minutes.

I just hope both managers go for it properly, and don't prioritise next week's midweek Premier League games [Fulham are at Arsenal on Tuesday and Palace travel to Southampton on Wednesday] instead of this tie.

Fulham and Palace have shown this season they have got enough quality in their strongest starting XIs to go all the way in the FA Cup, especially this year when the competition appears so open.

They are both in a great position to finally win a major trophy, so why not try to make history and give their fans something to celebrate?

Palace's only previous cup success was winning the Zenith Data Systems Cup in 1991.

I can imagine their fans enjoyed that day a lot, but lifting the FA Cup would be on a different planet, and the same goes for Fulham, who have not even been in an FA Cup semi-final since 2002.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner on Jean-Philippe Mateta's fitness: "Oh yes, he trains now for two weeks with us. Of course, always with his protection and it's also important for him to train a little bit. We had an internal game during the international break where he could play for 60 minutes without any problems. He's ready."

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Crystal Palace defender Ben Chilwell says players like Jean-Philippe Mateta are important to have in the dressing room.

The striker is in contention to play in Saturday's FA Cup match against Fulham, which could be his first match since suffering a head injury in the last round against Millwall.

"Before I came to Palace, I watched him on TV, we know how good of a footballer he is, and how prolific he is in front of goal," Chilwell told the club's website.

"On the other side of it, which I've been impressed by, is how he is around the building. He's the glue of the place, really. He's the loudest one in the changing room, the loudest one around here. You need a few of those.

"It's a long season, so you need those characters around the place who are always cracking jokes, making people laugh. In the small side games in training, they're the loudest ones when their team loses or their team wins.

"They're the most important figures in the changing room. You definitely notice when he's not in the building, put it that way, because he's just such a bubbly character.

"Then again, like I said, on the pitch, he's having a brilliant season and he's had a brilliant few seasons. Hopefully, having him back this weekend will be a massive boost, and hopefully he can help us out."

When Crystal Palace and Wembley are mentioned in the same sentence, I can't help but think of Alan Pardew's famous touchline dance.

Jason Puncheon gave Palace the lead with 12 minutes remaining but Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard ensured Louis van Gaal left Man Utd with a trophy in his final match.

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Jermaine Beckford
Former Preston striker on The Football News Show

Jermaine Beckford also spoke about Jack Grealish and believes that he needs to leave the club to rediscover his best form:

"Jack's one of those players that needs to play week in week out and needs to be a 10, he needs to be the heartbeat of the team that he is in.

"I think, in my opinion, he needs to move on to another club just to get those minutes, get the game time and get the ball at his feet again and get that smile back."

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Bournemouth

Not only are Bournemouth one of the four teams left in the competition that have never won the FA Cup, but they are the only team remaining that have never even reached the semi-final stage of the competition.

Sunday will mark only the third time that the Cherries have played in an FA Cup quarter-final tie. As Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United in 1957, and they lost 3-0 to Southampton in 2021.

Should they progress past Manchester City, something they have only managed to do once in their history - they will become the first Bournemouth team ever to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.

The one good omen on their side? That one win against City came this season.

Jermaine Beckford
Former Preston striker on BBC Football News Show

Former Preston striker Jermaine Beckford, speaking on The Football News Show, talked about how Nottingham Forest will need to adapt in the absence of Chris Wood:

"There is no doubt on the influence and the quality and the goals he's brought to the club. Inevitably there is going to be a loss there and the players will miss that - the physical influence, the aerial ability and the goalscoring threat as well.

"It's not all about playing one way, they have to adapt to the opposition and the players you have as well and with Chris Wood being out, they are going to have to adapt ever so slightly."

Bournemouth

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on recent reports linking him with Tottenham Hotspur: "I want to do my job the best I can, I don't know where we will finish. If I don't do it well, they will find someone else. I am happy here. We have a great opportunity to reach the semi finals for the first time, it would be amazing for me personally and for the club. We will try to give the best level we have."

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest striker on BBC's Football News Show

On Brighton v Forest: It should be a cracking cup tie. I am expecting a fast-paced, entertaining game.

The 7-0 was a really bad afternoon as far as Brighton were concerned, but it has actually turned into a positive because it has been a catalyst for their recent form. Conceding seven is never nice and they will want to get one back, but the main thing is getting to that semi-final.

I expect an open game, I know FA Cups are played with a little more freedom - nothing to lose, everything to gain.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on the progress of Dean Huijsen, who made his Spain debut during the recent international break: "It is not that we are surprised, he has been playing consistently and has performed very well. He has improved a lot even during the season. He has faced very difficult forwards, we knew we had a very good player."

On whether Huijsen, who has been linked with Real Madrid, will stay at Bournemouth: "You will have to ask him."

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