Youthful ambition

Sixth Round Draw
Ties to be completed by Saturday 06 March 2004

Tonight’s Youth Cup action sees West Ham United play Aston Villa at Upton Park and Crewe Alexandra take on Swindon Town at Gresty Road. Both matches kick-off at 7.00 pm.

West Ham boss Tony Carr says he is "under no illusions" about the task his boys face.

"Villa will be one of the favourites for the competition, let alone tonight's tie, and I think we go into the game as the underdogs," he says.

"Having said that, we have got home advantage, and like all cup games it is on the night.

"They have got goals in their team and a very good record in this competition in recent years.

"We are expecting nothing but a difficult game but hopefully an outcome in our favour at the end of it.

"It is a massive test for all our players against a very good academy outfit.

"Knowing Villa they will have a go at us too, so I would expect the game to flow from end to end - and I would expect goals."

Villa boss Tony McAndrew is banishing thoughts of trophies for his players at this stage.

"I'm sure thoughts of winning the competition again will be in the back of the players' minds," McAndrew said.

"But as soon as you start thinking beyond what you're doing next, you come unstuck.

"We need to be really focused on West Ham and if we're thinking a little bit beyond West Ham before we've done that job, that will cause us problems.

"Anybody that talks about the semis or the final, we jump on them. You cannot afford to look that far ahead.

It’s Tranmere Rovers v Middlesbrough tomorrow night (7.00 pm) and Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United on Saturday (2.00 pm).

Both of last season’s finalists - Manchester United and Middlesbrough - are still in the competition. United’s success last April was their ninth in the 52-year history of the competition. Now, following the semi-final draw, a repeat is still on the cards.

Villa have looked impressive from the start of this season’s Youth Cup. Luke Moore, with Shane Paul playing off him, ran the show at Chelsea in the Third Round and the 2-0 winning scoreline hardly did Villa justice. Since then they’ve blown away Wimbledon (4-0) and Rotherham United (5-0).

They might have too much fire power for the Young Hammers tonight, although it could be close. If Villa do go through, they will play the winners of the Blackburn v Man U quarter-final.

Crewe are famed for their youth set-up under Dario Gradi and their players continue to be included in England squads. Now the club has a real chance to make an impact in the Youth Cup. Victory at home to Swindon tonight will earn them a two-legged semi against Tranmere or Middlesbrough.

Boro had a hard-fought win against north east rivals Newcastle United in the last round, a tie in which defender/midfielder David Wheater caught the eye. David has also made his mark with the England Under-17s this season, appearing in all three matches in last month’s Algarve Tournament.

Tranmere knocked out Southampton, conquerors of Arsenal, and will be a stiff test for Boro tomorrow night, particularly at Prenton Park.