FA Cup

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FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 4, 2014 at 3pm UK

Aston Villa
1-2
Sheff Utd Sheffield United

Helenius (75')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Murphy (20'), Flynn (81')

Paul Lambert: 'FA Cup is a distraction'

By Alex Meyers, Reporter

Published: January 2 2014 | 19:47

Last updated: January 2 2014 | 20:42

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says that staying in the Premier League is more important to him than FA Cup success.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has admitted that Premier League survival is more important than winning the FA Cup.

The Villans face Sheffield United in the third round this weekend, and Lambert has claimed that the majority of top-flight clubs feel the competition is a distraction.

"I think if you asked the majority of them, if they were being honest, they probably would do," he told BBC WM. "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."

Aston Villa are one of the most successful teams in FA Cup history, having won the trophy seven times.