Ramsey hopes for medal rush
Aaron Ramsey ended Arsenal's nine-year wait for silverware and hopes, like London buses, trophies will all come in a rush for the Gunners.
The Wales midfielder scored the extra-time winner in last season's FA Cup final against Hull and hopes the Gunners can repeat the victory against Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday before mounting a sustained Premier League title challenge next term.
Ramsey's winners' medal is in a trophy cabinet in his home "which is slowly growing," he said, as he targets another success after Arsenal's late-season charge secured third place in the league.
"Hopefully we can win the FA Cup this year. Then that'll be two things in two years so hopefully we can just keep that run of winning things going," Ramsey said.
"Back-to-back finals are not an easy thing to achieve. In the second half of the season we have shown the form that we need throughout the season to win this league.
"We certainly showed that we are capable of going on these big runs and not losing too many games.
"If we can just show that consistency throughout the season then we'll be challenging for the Premier League, and that's what we'll be looking to do next year."
Ramsey knows Arsenal must justify their position as favourites against Villa by going out to win the trophy.
"It's so important to have that hunger and determination to go out and prove that you're worthy winners," he said.
"It's not going to be an easy game, we're going to have to be aware of that, but all the lads are even more hungry to win something this time around.
"We want that feeling that we had last year and we want to go on and win more things."
Ramsey's strike against Hull completed a remarkable recovery from the Gunners, who fell 2-0 down within eight minutes.
"I was thankful in a way that they did score their two goals early on in the game and that we did have a large chunk of the game to get back into it," he said.
"That gave us the kick that we needed to get going. We managed to score before half-time and then it felt like we were in control of the game and created a few opportunities to get back into it.
"We managed to do that and to win in extra-time was amazing.
"To score a winner in the FA Cup final, it's everybody's dream and I managed to live it.
"To finally win something after all those years and the pressure that has been put on this club was such a nice feeling of relief to finally win something."
Danny Welbeck will miss out for Arsenal after failing to recover from a knee injury.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has a number of selection decisions, such as whether to field goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and forward Theo Walcott from the start.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mathieu Debuchy (both hamstring) and captain Mikel Arteta (ankle) are in contention after returning to training following recent injuries.
Aston Villa FA Cup hero Peter McParland has called on Villa to harness the spirit of 1957 and revealed then-coach Bill Moore had already planned their celebrations beforehand.
The 81-year-old scored twice in Villa's last FA Cup win 58 years ago when they beat Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley.
Faced with the Busby Babes Villa were underdogs but McParland said they believed they would win after trainer Moore, who aided boss Eric Houghton, outlined their plans for a post-victory photo opportunity.
Villa play Arsenal in the final at Wembley on Saturday and McParland, the last player to score for the club in the FA Cup final, senses a similar situation to 1957.
"Arsenal are going to be hot favourites and then Manchester United were hot favourites," he said.
"It's about Villa showing they can do things against Arsenal.
"We were the same. We had the last team talk in the hotel and our trainer Bill Moore, who was way before his time, nominated two players - Stan Lynn and Peter Aldis - to get the captain (Johnny Dixon) on their shoulders with the Cup.
"That was a tradition then, the skipper being lifted up, and if you see the pictures Bill is in front with a big smile on his face so he had all that planned.
"He knew where he was going to be too. He got down the front and he has a terrific smile on his face.
"That was a psychological boost for us. We were confident and there was a spirit in the team that we could do this."
Shay Given is set to be fit for Villa's first FA Cup final in 15 years after returning to training following a groin injury.
The goalkeeper was a doubt after missing the Barclays Premier League finale as Villa lost 1-0 to Burnley on Sunday but could return at Wembley.
Aly Cissokho (groin), Kieran Richardson (calf) and Jores Okore (knee) have also trained but Ciaran Clark (knee) is out.
Source: PAR
