Nathan Baker is hoping to channel a little warrior spirit when he and his Aston Villa team-mates step out to face Liverpool in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
The central defender has cast an imposing figure this season with a beard that would make a Viking proud – and he is hoping his team can conquer under the arch.
Liverpool v Aston Villa
FA Cup semi-final
3pm Sunday 19 April 2015
Live on BT Sport 1
“It will be my first time and it’s any little boy’s dream really. It’s a big occasion and hopefully we can go on to the final,” said the 23-year-old.
“For a Villa fan from just down the road in Worcester it’s an unbelievable thought to be walking about at Wembley and hopefully we can get the win.”
Villa have been winning hearts, minds and games since Tim Sherwood took the reins on Valentine’s Day this year, with the West Midlands club six points clear of the relegation zone.
And Baker is happy to credit Sherwood with the turnaround.
He said: “He tries to give you confidence. If you make a mistake he just tells you to try and get it right the next time.
Nathan Baker slides in on Harry Kane
“He’s always trying to motivate the players to get better.
“He wants to give you that belief and that is all you can ask from a manager.”
Baker revealed that Sherwood is every bit as lively in training as he is on the touchline.
“He gets involved and takes a lot of the training himself. He joins in the training sometimes too. He’s still got it!” he said.
“We know ourselves that we are better than we have been over the past few seasons. Hopefully now with the new gaffer coming in we can set that straight and push on.
“We need to stop looking backwards and start looking forwards.”
Nathan Baker in action for England U19s in 2008
The former England Under-21s international is expected to start in the heart of defence on Saturday following a knee injury to Ciaran Clark – and is excited to give his now trademark beard an airing at Wembley.
“I’ve had it for about a year now and my team-mates like it,” he said.
“I just let it grow and do its thing – I’ve only trimmed it a few times.
“I think sometimes about cutting it off but I’m going to leave it until at least the end of the season.
“You always worry that if you cut it off you might lose a bit from your game!”
Baker says he and his team-mates are banking on striker Christian Benteke to upset Liverpool.
“His performances have been standout and he has nine goals in eight games.
"Hopefully he can carry it on into Sunday and for the rest of the season.”
