Rubbing shoulders with Aston Villa was a thrill

While AFCB have taken on FA Cup Finalists Aston Villa and been a credit to the town with their performance in the Fourth Round of this year's competition are you thinking like me that the Cherries are not far behind such sides now? The glamour of a final at Wembley is something that every team should strive for and while only a select few can get there each season it is healthy to have aspirations.

AFCB did not quite run rings around Villa in the FA Cup but they came close.

When Aston Villa run out against Arsenal in the Cup Final today I won't feel sad that AFCB are not there, but I'll be watching to see what the strengths and weaknesses are of the two teams. I imagine Eddie Howe and his staff will be doing something similar. The big occasion can tell you many things about players and managers and while we have seen Arsene Wenger and his team in this position many times, it is the first time that we will see Tim Sherwood managing a team there. 

On FA Cup Final day you also want to get near to what the managers, players and fans are feeling. Any indication of what might happen later is always something I look out for. The day does not always go smoothly for those involved even before they get to the pitch. But it must be marvellous to be standing there looking up at the arch and soaking up that atmosphere. 

We'll be back at Villa Park soon when perhaps
the Cherries will be taking on the FA Cup holders. I wish them
good luck against the Gooners today.

AFC Bournemouth will probably get a mention at some point having rubbed shoulders with Aston Villa in this year's competition. Now AFCB will be playing at the same level as Arsenal and Aston Villa the cup final has more attraction for me this year. It's been a good competition with plenty of upsets and some great goals, but for me it would cap it off if Villa as the underdogs could win. It's not that I hold anything against Arsenal - I love the way they play. It would just be a nice touch knowing that AFCB went out this year to the champions.

A reminder from yesterday, one of our AFCB Canadian exiles has asked me to post a video competition hosted by Vancouver White Caps that his three AFCB supporting sons have entered, to try and win their West Kelowna Football club (U10 Boys Vipers) a new indoor training ground - they need as many votes as they can get so please help by voting for Vipers FC here.  You can vote again if you voted yesterday.


Tomorrow we'll be releasing the Cherry Chimes' June Newsletter which comments on the biggest stories from May on Cherry Chimes. We'll also have an article that is not on the blog - who is best to partner Callum Wilson?

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