Scott Sinclair joined an elite group of players to have scored a hat-trick at Wembley in 2011 and, as a result, fired Swansea City to the Premier League.
A fine first season in the top flight with the Swans offered much promise but since then things have rarely gone the winger’s way, with a series of injuries and a lack of opportunities curtailing his career.
However, after scoring Aston Villa’s decisive second goal against Leicester in The FA Cup Fifth Round on Sunday, Sinclair believes his luck might be changing and is targeting a repeat of his finest moment - if his new side can overcome a quarter final hurdle.
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City
The FA Cup
Fifth Round Proper
Sunday 15 February
Villa Park
Click here for match stats
“That would be perfect, it would be great for me to get there and score another hat-trick,” he joked.
“It has been very difficult over me for the last 18 months to two years but I keep on going and hopefully if you work hard you get rewards.
“I feel sharp. It is just about getting the awareness and everything else back. I haven’t played for a long time so it’s just about getting my form back.”
Villa have endured a disappointing season so far, with a lack of goals causing the team to slip into the Premier League relegation zone, prompting the departure of former boss Paul Lambert.
But, after Sunday’s win Sinclair hopes better times are on the horizon as the players aim to repay the supporters.
“I think it would be great for the Villa fans because they have been wanting something to look forward to,” he said.
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City
“As long as we get out the bottom three and we move up the table then they will have something to look forward to in The FA Cup.”
Villa have defeated three teams below them in the league ladder en route to this season’s FA Cup quarter finals, but where they have prevailed where many others have fallen.
Only five Premier League names will be in Monday's Sixth Round draw and, in this season of FA Cup upsets, Sinclair feels all the teams that remain will fancy their chances.
“It is getting to that stage where any team can beat anyone on any given day,” he said.
“All the teams that are left will be thinking they’ve got a chance to get to The Final.
“We have a chance as well but we will have to see who we get in the next round.”
