A billboard poster of the advertising campaign for the FA Cup, by ITV, for me summed up the greatest domestic competition in the world.
It had a picture of Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic in an aerial challenge with a fireman. The caption beside the picture read: “Where all men are equal.”
And that statement is certainly true when Aston Villa, who are currently fourth in the EPL—arguably the greatest football league in the world—visit Kent in the South East to take on Gillingham, who currently languish in the fourth tier of professional football in England, the Coca Cola League Two.
The players of Aston Villa may be internationally recognised multi-millionaire superstars compared to the average wage earners at Gillingham, but for 90 minutes on that pitch, in Kent’s largest sporting arena, there will be no differences as current form and footballing status are thrown out the window, and all that matters is beating your opponent and getting through to the next round.
Villa may be fourth in the Premier League, unbeaten for eight games, and Gillingham may be 10th in League Two, having not won in four games, but on Sunday all men will be equal, as the prize of tarnishing reputations and slaying giants can give the same satisfaction as lifting that trophy at Wembley.
Team News
Gillingham
For this incredible clash at Kent’s home of professional football, suspensions mean there is a substantial chink in the armour of the Gillingham defence; Key defenders Garry Richards and Barry Fuller will be forced to watch from the sidelines.
The latter’s hopes of leading out his men onto the pitch for this massive occasion have now been destroyed, as club captain Fuller will be denied his finest moment in a Gillingham shirt as he completes the last game of an unjust three-game suspension.
Club legend Nicky Southall will also miss this game; the skilful midfielder being ineligible as he is cup-tied, having represented Kent neighbours Dover Athletic in fourth round qualifying.
Long-term absentees Mark McCammon (back) and Luis Cumbers (fractured fibula) will also miss the game, as their road to recovery rules them out of this memorable occasion.
Aston Villa
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