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Paul Lambert Says Aston Villa 'Could Do Without' FA Cup

'We Could Do Without FA Cup' - Why Are Struggling Clubs So Unambitious?
The Huffington Post UK
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Paul Lambert, manager of Aston Villa, looks dejected during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Millwall and Aston Villa, at The Den on January 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Neville Williams via Getty Images

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says the FA Cup is regarded as such an inconsequential competition top-flight clubs could "do without it".

Lambert, who will take his side into Saturday's FA Cup third round clash against League One Sheffield United, insisted most fellow Premier League bosses are more concerned about accumulating points.

Villa have not won a trophy since the 1996 League Cup and last won the FA Cup against Manchester United's Busby Babes in 1957. They are joint third, along with Liverpool and Chelsea, on the all-time FA Cup winners list.

Lambert told BBC Radio WM: "If they were being honest, they probably would do. Not just because of the money but survival in the league is vital."

"It is realistic. That is the nature of it. If anyone says any differently then I am not so sure they will be telling the truth because the Premier League is the most vital thing that anyone wants to get into and we are no different."

Villa are 11th in the Premier League table following a 1-0 New Year's Day win at Sunderland, but are only six points above the relegation zone.

The Villans finished 15th and five points clear of safety in Lambert's first season with the club, when they reached the Capital One Cup semi-final.

Wigan Parade FA Cup
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez (right) during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez (centre) during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic's Ben Watson holds aloft the trophy during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez (right) during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players during the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic fans gather in the streets prior to the start of the FA Cup trophy parade in Wigan. (credit:PA)
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Wigan Athletic players parade in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic players parade in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic players parade in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic players parade in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic players parade in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A child holding an inflatable FA Cup balloon cries as the Wigan Athletic team parades in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic players parade in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic players parade in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in north west England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic players parade in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic's goalkeeper Joel Robles grabs a balloon as the team parades in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic's Spanish manager Roberto Martinez waves to the crowds as the team parades in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic's Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi (L) holds the English FA Cup trophy as the team parades in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the championship. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Wigan Athletic's Ivorian striker Arouna Kone (L) and Spanish midfielder Jordi Gomez (C) hold the English FA Cup trophy as the team parades in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the championship. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Children pose with the Wigan Athletic mascots as the team parades in an open top bus through the streets of Wigan in northwest England on May 20, 2013 after they won the English FA Cup. The club paraded the trophy through the town centre despite being relegated from the Premier League the week after their FA Cup victory. AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

"Cup competitions, if you can get through, then absolutely I want to get through. I don't want to not get through but your main one is the league," he said.

"We don't have a massive squad and points are really important. If you are honest enough people will say the same."

Current Cup holders Wigan Athletic were relegated three days after their 1-0 final triumph over Manchester City in May last year. Villa were ejected from the competition in the fourth-round at Championship side Millwall, who reached the semi-finals.

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