Aston Villa Ladies boss Joe Hunt is gearing his side up for an FA Women’s Cup clash against last season’s FA WSL 2 champions Sunderland – much to his surprise.
Villa will entertain Carlton Fairweather’s side in the Third Round on Sunday 1 February.
FA WSL 1 clubs are exempt from the competition until the Fifth Round stage, and, as the Black Cats are now in the top division, Hunt believed they would be left out of the hat for another two rounds.
Aston Villa v Sunderland
The FA Women's Cup
Third Round Proper
2pm, Sunday 1 February
Sutton Coldfield Town FC
Winning club will receive £400
However, when Sunderland applied to enter this season’s FA Women’s Cup (the deadline was 1 August 2014) they were still an FA WSL 2 side and so they make their bow in Round Three.
Hunt told Aston Villa Ladies' official website: “The FA Cup draw was a massive surprise for us. We didn't even realise Sunderland were in the hat for the Third Round!
“As Sunderland are now in the division above, we thought, like many others did, that they would come into the competition at the Fifth Round stage.
“I thought it was a misprint when I first saw it but then our general manager explained why once he found out.
“Last season we drew Doncaster Rovers in the Third Round, this year it’s Sunderland. It fits in perfectly with our programme and it’s at home which we wanted.”
He continued: “Sunderland were head and shoulders the best team in Super League 2 last season but we gave them two very good games.
“We’ll be ready for this game by the time it comes round and we’ll do all we can to try and cause an upset.”
