At Crystal Palace over the last few days, Oliver Glasner has been finalising hard work on Aston Villa’s midfield with a light touch. The Austrian is appealing to his players’ childhood love for the game, telling them to listen to the schoolyard near the training ground. The point is to remind them that occasions like an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley are to be savoured, rather than feel intimidated by. This, in short, is why you got into football.
You could forgive Palace feeling some pressure this weekend, mind. They are the only one of the four clubs left to have never won a major trophy. It is no exaggeration to say it means more to them.
