Stephen Warnock says the Carling Cup semi-final has got Aston Villa buzzing

Dec 4 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

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“I think it’s a great stadium and a great location for playing Premier League football. I don’t think there’s many better grounds than ours.”

Warnock is convinced that the claret and blue faithful have played their part in Villa going eight games unbeaten at home since the opening day defeat to Wigan.

“It is a fortress and that’s the way you have to make your ground if you want to do well in the league,” he said.

“You then have to pick up points away from home.

“If you know you can rely on your home form to a certain degree to get your results it’s great.

“The teams that have been to Villa – the likes of Chelsea and Man City we have beaten and drawn with.

“It shows the big teams that come here that they’re going to have a fight on their hands to leave with anything.”

Warnock is delighted to be facing Rovers in the Carling Cup and FA Cup after under-going a roller-coaster of emotions as his former club beat Chelsea.

“I think everyone at the club was tuning into it,” he added.

“Once you get through the game and you know the next round’s the semi final it’s an exciting time for everyone connected with the club.

“It’s an exciting draw for us and I’m sure they’ll be thinking the same.

“We’ll know each other inside out and if the FA Cup goes to a replay we could play each other four times.”