The Bluebirds travel to take on Aston Villa in Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round action.
The fixture will take place on February 28th, with a kick off time of 8pm.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Aston Villa’s manager is Unai Emery, who has been in the role since November 2022.
The Spaniard has an impressive CV, having taking charge at a number of European giants.
He started his coaching career at Lorca Deportiva in the Spanish third division, achieving promotion in his first season at the helm, before following the feat at his second club Almería, achieving promotion to the Spanish first division in his first campaign in charge.
Emery’s impressive start in management earned him a move to Valencia, taking over from his predecessor Ronald Koeman, where he achieved three third-place finishes in La-Liga during his four-year rein at the club.
The former midfielder had a brief stint at Spartak Moscow before returning to Spain as manager of Sevilla. His time there was memorable for winning the UEFA Europa League three times in four seasons.
In 2016, Emery joined Paris Saint-Germain, maintaining a win percentage of 76.32% and claiming seven trophies in two years at the French giants.
The European specialist joined Arsenal in May 2018, for his first stint in England. He reached a European final with the Gunners but was unable to overcome London rivals Chelsea before being dismissed in November 2019.
Emery returned to his homeland to take over his fifth Spanish team at Villarreal in 2020. He won yet another Europa League and reached a Champions league semi-final, before joining current club Aston Villa.
During his time as Villa boss, he has taken his side to European competitors, achieving UEFA Champions League qualification at the Midlands outfit for the first time since 1983.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
The hosts head into this Friday’s contest sat 10th in the Premier League.
Villa’s home form this season has been impressive, picking up 28 of their 42 points at Villa Park in the Premier League.
As attention turns to FA Cup action, Aston Villa have overcome two Premier League opponents to reach this stage of the cup, having already defeated West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur in the competition so far.
Last time out in the Emirates FA Cup, Villa claimed a 2-1 at home against Spurs thanks to a first minute goal courtesy of Jacob Ramsey and second half strike by Morgan Rogers.
EMIRATES FA CUP | STATZONE
This Friday’s clash will be the fourth time the two sides have met in FA Cup action.
The first time was back in 1927, when the Bluebirds defeated Villa 2-1 at Ninian Park, the same year City famously went on to lift the cup.
City and Villa would meet again two years later at Villa Park, this time the hosts came out triumphant.
However, 20 years later, the Bluebirds would take revenge, getting a second FA Cup victory against Aston Villa and a first at Villa Park, defeating the home side 2-1.
The last time the Bluebirds progressed past the fifth round was in the 2007/2008 campaign, where City went on to reach the final at Wembley against Portsmouth.
CLUB CONNECTIONS | BLUEBIRDS & VILLANS
Friday could see three Bluebirds line-up against their former side.
City’s top goal scorer Callum Robinson could return to his boyhood club. Having come through the youth academy, he went on make his debut in 2013 against Tottenham in the League Cup. He made four further appearances before departing the Villans in 2016.
Anwar El Ghazi could also appear against his previous side, having made his mark in the Midlands playing 119 times and scoring on 26 occasions.
Calum Chambers moved to the Welsh capital this summer having spent a year-and-a-half at Villa. During his time there, he made 36 appearances under Emery, playing his part in Aston Villa’s impressive Champions League qualification.