The Holland defender is aiming to help the Villans overcome Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday to lift the prize for the first time since 1957.
“It’s been a really long time. I’ve been well aware of it because a lot of people have told me – they are looking forward to it and so are we,” Vlaar said at the club’s pre-Cup Final media day.
Arsenal v Aston Villa
The FA Cup Final
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
5.30pm, Saturday 30 May
Live on BBC One and BT Sport
“It’s something the fans have had to deal with, but hopefully we can make them a great memory on Saturday.”
The Gunners won the Cup last season when they defeated Hull City 3-2 in The Final.
Although the north London side may have more experience of Wembley, Vlaar says he and the rest of Tim Sherwood’s squad realise they are on the verge of history – and they are determined to seize their opportunity.
“It’s a final, it’s 90 minutes. They are obviously more experienced having won it last year,” he said.
“We have to be confident and believe that we can win the game. Looking around the dressing-room, we all believe and that’s the most important thing.
“We have all the fans behind us and backing us and it’s going to be a great game. We can write history and we have to realise that. It’s been so long since Villa won the Cup, and we can do it – we are so close. This is our chance.”
The Birmingham side have seen something of a change sweep through the club since the arrival Sherwood as manager earlier this year.
He has not only guided them to Wembley, but he has helped to secure their top-flight status with an attacking brand of football the Villa Park faithful and players are loving.
“It’s never a good thing when a manager has to leave, but things changed and everybody felt this was a new start. The way we played also changed, we got better results and we played better football. So you could say it is the start of a new era,” added Vlaar.
“When he arrived we needed results, we needed a bit of luck as well, and that gives confidence. Results give confidence and that’s what we needed and we’ve built on that.
“The most important thing was to get safe in the league, we secured that and now we can look forward to the final and play the most important game of our lives.
“There’s a new energy in the building, and it’s what this team and club needed. Let’s hope we can build on that next season.”
