Joe Cole urges Aston Villa not to be "overawed" by FA Cup semi-final

Aston Villa midfielder Joe Cole has urged his teammates not to be "afraid" of this Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Wembley.

Tim Sherwood will lead out the team, who are regarded as underdogs as they face a fellow Premier League club who have won the trophy seven times.

Despite the importance of the game, Cole believes that it is vital that the Villa players focus on the job at hand.

"It has been a long wait for a club like Villa to be there and you've just got to do your job, focus on it and not be overawed by it," Cole told the club's official website.

"These games are about being mentally prepared. It does sap your energy. It is not like a normal game because of the build-up and everything.

"It is a special game, so you've got to be clever, but it is nothing to be afraid of. The boys will relish it, I know they will."

The other semi-final is between holders Arsenal and Championship side Reading on Saturday.