00:00The Emirates FA Cup third round draw has landed and West Midland supporters have plenty to
00:07anticipate. Four local clubs, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wunderers, West Bromwich Albion
00:11and Birmingham City each face different challenges as they look to reignite past glories
00:17and chase new memories in football's oldest knockout competition.
00:23Water will host League Two side Shrewsbury Town at Molyneux. The Shrews have shown resilience in
00:28reaching this stage including a hard-fought extra time win in earlier rounds. Wolves cannot afford to
00:35be complacent having been tested by lower league opposition in previous Cups yet their top fight
00:41experience and home advantage make them clear favourites to progress. Luckily for them,
00:47Shrewsbury are having a fairly similar season. Aston Villa face a more formidable assignment
00:53travelling to Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League draw showdown. Villa will need to summon both
00:59tactical discipline and cup spirit knowing that Spurs are dangerous opponents keen to avoid early
01:06elimination. You know I am very known for his ability to navigate knockout football will be ready
01:11with his confident Villa side. The Baggies head to Swansea City in a championship clash. Swansea's
01:18unpredictability ensures the Baggies must approach the tie with focus but recently form suggests Albion
01:25just about hold the edge. As for Birmingham City, while they travel to Cambridge United, a lower league
01:32side that has punched above its weight to reach the third round. The Blues' superior quality and experience
01:38should see them through though Cambridge's home advantage and underdog determination could make the tie lively.
01:45This year's draw offers every West Midlands team a fresh page to add to their legacy,
01:53whether through a memorable giant killing, a tense cup tie or the thrill of progressing deeper into the
01:58competition. When the final whistle blows across these third round ties, one or more of these sides may
02:05capture the headlines but all will have renewed the region's enduring connection to the magic of the FA Cup.
