FA Cup

THE fastest footballer I’ve ever played with and the biggest moaner I’ve ever met will play at Wembley today, both aiming to reach the FA Cup final.And I would love to see the Crystal Palace duo of Ismaila Sarr and Will Hughes — two old Watford team-mates of mine — on the winning side against Aston Villa.Ismaila Sarr and Will Hughes could both start for Crystal Palace against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-finalCredit: RexIsma is a lovely man and one hell of a player — he could be a 100 metres sprinter or a 5,000m runner because his effortless pace over any distance is extraordinary.And with Isma there is an end product, too… nine goals and five assists this season in Oliver Glasner’s thrilling Palace attack.My greatest memory of him was when we returned to training after the Covid lockdown.The Watford physios were fuming because, unlike most players, Isma hadn’t been doing any fitness work on his own and provided them with no data, as he’d been asked to.So on our first day back, it was like a mini pre-season. We were running around a 1km track and were told we had 15 minutes to run as far as we could.We were all fit blokes but most of us were blowing out of our backsides after a lap or two.Isma and Abdoulaye Doucoure were lapping most of us effortlessly while chatting away to each other in French.Sarr’s endurance levels, as well as his sprinting ability, are absolutely phenomenal.He ran a lot as a young kid growing up in Senegal and that has set him up perfectly for a career as a top Premier League player.If Hughes had anything like Sarr’s pace, he would be playing for Liverpool or some other elite club — because he has every other quality needed to be a top player.Troy Deeney and Ismaila Sarr at WatfordCredit: GettySarr has been impressive for Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyTroy Deeney reveals he spent £250k promotion bonus in three days in Las Vegas partying with 15 Victoria’s Secret models But his most obvious trait is his ability to constantly whinge about anything and everything.Will was only 22 when he joined us at Watford from Derby but he was already an old man trapped in a young man’s body. He was old school, everything about modern life was rubbish.I don’t know if you remember the Brad Pitt film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button… a baby is born with the age and personality of an old man. Well, that was Will.When goalkeeper Ben Foster started doing his The Cycling GK podcast and videoed us around the training ground, it became a running joke that he would aim the camera at Will, who would respond by saying, ‘Get that thing out of my face’.  I see he has 12 yellow cards this season — and that’s because he is a  horrible b*****d to play against but brilliant to have at your own club.All that moaning means Will is a great driver of standards.So it’s not because of my Birmingham City allegiances that I hope Palace beat Villa today — it’s because of Will and Isma.There is a lot to admire about Palace as a team and a club, such as the way they stood by Glasner after failing to win any of their first eight Premier League matches this season — a patience they are now being rewarded for.Will Hughes was teased for his old school views at WatfordCredit: ReutersHughes’ attitude helps him keep standards upCredit: GettyThen there’s the way that, unlike most top-flight clubs, Palace are unafraid to dip into the Championship and sign players such as Adam Wharton from Blackburn and Romain Esse from Millwall.There are bargains to be had in the second tier — and these are players who haven’t got to acclimatise to living and playing in England.And watching Palace attack is thrilling.As well as Isma Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze are just brilliant to watch.Mateta is on a hot streak — that equaliser against Arsenal on Wednesday night was proof of a player bursting with confidence and blessed with excellent technique.Eze seemed to be a bit flat early in the season after missing out on a big move last summer,  while his team-mate Michael Olise headed to  German giants Bayern Munich.But once Eze was back on his game, so were Palace. What a talent he is.Palace are a club looking for success in the present but constantly building for the future too — always knowing that their best players could be picked off by the real big boys.And I think that Palace vs Manchester City would give us the best possible final.Palace have a very good record against City and were close to going 3-0 up at the Etihad before Pep Guardiola’s men came back to beat them 5-2 the other week.Having said that — and putting my personal allegiances aside — it would be cruel on Villa to end the season without the FA Cup or Champions League qualification.Especially when they came so close to beating Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.Like Glasner, Unai Emery is an outstanding manager and the high-profile January loan signings of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio showed Villa were targeting success in the here and now.If Rashford starts ahead of Ollie Watkins at Wembley — as he did in both legs against French giants PSG — then we could definitely see Watkins heading out of Villa Park this summer.Watkins would have every right to moan if he missed out on another  massive match.But, believe me, the Villa forward would never moan as much as  Will Hughes.Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford have been exceptional for Aston VillaCredit: GettyOllie Watkins could leave Villa if he spends too much time on the benchCredit: Reuters More

NOTTINGHAM FOREST and Manchester City face-off at Wembley on Sunday for a place in the FA Cup final.SunSport have enlisted the help of their betting experts to preview the semi showdown and select the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereNew sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesNottingham Forest vs Manchester City previewTwo teams battling it out for a chance at an FA Cup final and two sides with memorable campaigns.For Nottingham Forest, a chance at a Wembley final and qualification to the Champions League would be beyond their wildest dreams. For City, it’s memorable for all the wrong reasons.Incredibly, just one place and one single point separate these two sides in the Premier League, with both embroiled in a chase for the Champions League with a couple of other sides.That’s the main aim for both sides but they must also be all-in on this chance to win silverware – the only opportunity for either side to clinch a trophy this season.Back-to-back defeats to Aston Villa and Everton looked to be damaging for Forest’s Euro hunt but a convincing win at Spurs on Monday night very much keeps them alive.For City – above Forest by a point having played a game more – they’ve recaptured their form, ironically since Erling Haaland’s injury.Five wins and a draw in their last six games – including a huge league win in midweek over fellow UCL chasers Villa – show City are in fine fettle heading into the closing stages of the season. As per usual…Only this time there is no late run for title glory, instead a top-four push and this solitary trophy.Forest won the last meeting between the sides in March, thanks to a late Callum Hudson-Odoi goal.First scorer and correct score predictionsCorrect score: 0-2 at 15/2 with Betfred – HEREFirst scorer: Kevin de Bruyne 15/2 with talkSPORT BET – HERENottm Forest vs Man City latest oddsNottingham Forest at 18/5 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREOdds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.How to claim..William Hill £60 welcome bonusVisit the William Hill website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: T60Once your account is registered, click ‘opt in’ on the ‘Vegas Promotion’ pageDeposit a minimum of £10 in your main account to receive a £20 Vegas Bonus for use on Selected GamesThen place a bet with a minimum stake of £10 at odds of 1/2 or greater on any football marketOnce that’s settled, your account will be credited with £40 in free betsWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City predictionsYellow warning Neco Williams playing as a full back against these Manchester City wingers will almost certainly know he’s in a game.He’s only picked up five yellow cards in the Premier League but was also booked in the previous round of this competition.It’s also actually two yellows in his last five games and he can play on the edge at times.Neco Williams to be carded at 13/8 with Betfred – CLAIM HEREStalemateForest’s 39 goals conceded is only bettered by Liverpool and Arsenal, and they have the lowest goals scored in any of the top seven sides.Matz Sels has the most clean sheets in the Premier League and he and his Forest defence will want to keep things tight here.No goals in first half at 23/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE*William Hill. 18+. 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Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – GambleAware.orgRead our guide on responsible gambling practices.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

JAMIE VARDY made some huge snubs when naming the best XI he has played with at Leicester City.The Foxes legend has announced he will be leaving the club after 13 years at the end of the season.Jamie Vardy has picked his all-time Leicester City XI from his team-matesCredit: GettyKasper Schmeichel was an obvious choice in goalCredit: GettyRiyad Mahrez was picked by Vardy for the left wingCredit: Getty – ContributorVardy, 38, enjoyed huge success at the club, where he won the Premier League and FA Cup titles.However, he has suffered two relegations from England’s top flight, which has been reflected in his XI.The veteran striker did not have space for a single member of the current Leicester City squad in his team.This includes the likes of big-name players such as Wilfred Ndidi and Ricardo Pereira.READ MORE ON JAMIE VARDYVardy also left out England internationals such as Harry Maguire and James Maddison.The duo left the King Power Stadium for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for big money.Another England star who was left out was the captain, Harry Kane.The Bayern Munich forward played nine minutes with Vardy at Leicester during a loan spell from Spurs in 2013.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOther notable players that have not made Vardy cut include Inter Milan legend Esteban Cambiasso, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Ademola Lookman.Vardy’s team did have a theme – and that was the title victory in 2016.Jamie Vardy anounces he’s LEAVING Leicester in emotional video with striker left close to tears after 13 yearsHe left out Manchester United star Harry MaguireCredit: Getty Images – GettyThere was also no place for James Maddison in the XICredit: ReutersVardy also snubbed Harry Kane, with whom he played in 2013Credit: Getty Images – GettyIn goal, the striker opted for Kasper Schmeichel, behind a back four of Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan, Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs.He went for a midfield three of Youri Tielemans, N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater.In the attack, Vardy, of course, picked himself and was flanked by Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton.Fans were quick to pick up on the fact he has left out all of his current team-mates as a damning indictment of the state of the team.One posted: “None of his current team-mates lol.” A second wrote: “So no current squad? Yeahhh…. Even Jamie knows.”A third commented: “No one from the current crop of rubbish.”A fourth joked: “Surprised Wout Faes hasn’t been included in that tbf.”Vardy confirmed his exit from Leicester in an emotional video.His decision comes after the club was relegated from the Premier League by Liverpool.Read More on The SunVardy would want to be bowing out in better circumstances, and has described this relegation season as a “s**t show”.He is expected to continue his playing career with SunSport, exclusively reporting that clubs in the US are keen on him.He ended the video in a typically cheeky fashionCredit: X @LCFC More

FOOTBALL star Mick McGrath has passed away aged 89.The defender was one of the last remaining survivors of Blackburn Rovers’ 1960 FA Cup final side.Football star Mick McGrath has passed away aged 89Credit: FacebookThe stalwart made more than 300 appearances for Blackburn RoversCredit: GettyMcGrath later made the East Lancs town his homeCredit: GettyThe Irishman also featured in the 1957/58 Division Two promotion-winning team.McGrath arrived from the Home Farm club in Dublin.The stalwart made more than 300 appearances for the club and secured 22 caps for the Republic of Ireland.He told the Telegraph: “Coming from Ireland as a young lad playing for someone like Blackburn Rovers was a great thing in itself and to get in the first team, well it was a feeling hard to describe.”He played 50 times for Bradford after leaving Rovers at the end of the 1965-66 season.The footballer finished his career as player-manager at Bangor City.McGrath later made the East Lancs town his home.He worked for Thwaites Brewery for over 20 years before retiring.Most read in FootballA Rovers spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Mick McGrath, at the age of 89.”Everyone at Blackburn Rovers offers our thoughts and sincere condolences to Mick’s family and friends at this sad time.” More