Grant relishes Redknapp showdown... but O'Hara says he hopes Spurs lose!

Avram Grant is relishing the prospect of a Wembley FA Cup semi-final against former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp.'I've just spoken to him,' Grant told Sportsmail. 'I wished him well for the quarter-final replay against Fulham, but I hope he loses the semi-final!'The last time Redknapp and Portsmouth were at Wembley, Harry was the manager and the club won the FA Cup. Two years later he is boss of Spurs, and Pompey are in freefall following a cash crisis that has taken them into adminstration. Wembley dream: Jamie O'Hara (left), on loan at Portsmouth, hopes his Spurs team lose so that he can play in the semi-final Grant, speaking after the draw made by Jason Cundy and David Ginola, added: 'Harry's a great friend and he is doing a terrific job at Spurs. I'm proud to be his friend, but I hope we knock them out. I'd like to play Chelsea (who face Aston Villa) in the final, that would be special for me.'Redknapp said: 'I'm delighted for Pompey to be going back to Wembley. I spoke to Avram several times and I'm delighted for him, the players, the club and the supporters. But we've got to beat Fulham first, so it wouldn't be right to talk about playing Pompey.'And one of Redknapp's players currently on loan at Portsmouth hopes Spurs lose to Fulham so it does not wreck his own Wembley dream. Jamie O'Hara, who has been at Fratton Park all season, can only take part in the semi-final if Fulham win the replay because he could not play against his parent club.Lifelong Spurs fan O'Hara said: 'It is a weird one because for the first time in my life I will be hoping Spurs lose. I have always supported them but I've got to be selfish and honest I want Fulham to go through. I want to play at Wembley.'I'll be gutted to miss out. I have grown up as a Spurs fan and watched them all my life so I do not know how that is going to go down.' Time for Wembley: Portsmouth boss Avram Grant celebrates at the final whistle Grant spoke yesterday of his admiration for his Pompey players, who defeated Birmingham 2-0 to advance into the last four. 'I am so happy, because if you look at what we have achieved, it's incredible,' he said. 'We've lost four more players in the last three weeks, yet we're going to Wembley. We can look forward to the semi-final against Spurs or Fulham with pride and I'm pleased for my players and our supporters.'Villa manager Martin O'Neill remained bullish after being paired with holders and favourites Chelsea, following a 4-2 win at Reading when they came back from two down.'We are delighted to be there,' he said. 'We will take on anybody. Chelsea are one of the best sides in Europe but we will take them on. And we certainly don't fear them.'Villa will be making their second trip of the season to Wembley, having lost to Manchester United in the Carling Cup final.Chelsea assistant boss Ray Wilkins said: 'Aston Villa will be a tough game for us.' PORTSMOUTH FC

Source: Daily_Mail