Source: Team_Talk
Carew calls for crack at Carling Cup
Villa have had a dismal record in the competition in recent years and crashed to underdogs Leicester and QPR on home soil at the second round stage in the previous two campaigns.[LNB]But they overcame Cardiff in the third round last month and victory at the Stadium Of Light would secure a place in the last eight.[LNB]Carew said: "In the last two years we went out of this competition in the second round and this is a trophy we can really go for and should be fighting for.[LNB]"Teams around us (in the Premier League) have reached quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals and there is no reason why we can't be there as well.[LNB]"It is important for Villa to do well in this competition having gone out of Europe. We are not in the Europa League anymore and we have to focus on this one.[LNB]"It is a chance to win a big trophy and we really have to go for it.[LNB]"As a big team, who are high up in the Premier League, we should be participating in quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals in this tournament - every year."[LNB]Villa boss Martin O'Neill reached the final of the competition three times in four years when manager of Leicester who lifted the trophy in 1996 and 2000 after being runners-up in 1999.[LNB]Now he wants Villa to achieve success but recognises Sunderland will provide a tough test.[LNB]O'Neill said: "I know during the last couple of years we have got knocked out early on which has been a big disappointment.[LNB]"Last season we were still heavily involved in the European scene and maybe the disappointment of going out might not have lasted that long.[LNB]"But this time around we don't have European football to go for and I would dearly love to do well in the competition if it is at all possible.[LNB]"The football club would be very keen to progress in it but we recognise that Sunderland, before Saturday's game at Birmingham, were having an excellent season and will prove a difficult test."[LNB]O'Neill is likely to make some changes particularly as his side are in the middle of a sequence of five games in 15 days.[LNB]Emile Heskey, Luke Young, Habib Beye, Nicky Shorey, Nigel Reo-Coker, Fabian Delph, Brad Guzan and Craig Gardner could all come into contention to start.[LNB][LNB] Sunderland v Aston Villa. Click here to bet.
