6 Jan 2009

Man U and Villa advance to fourth round of FA Cup

2:07 pm on 6 January 2009

English Premier League football champions Manchester United and fellow top four side Aston Villa both made it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

United beat struggling Championship side Southhampton 3-0 while Villa were made to work hard for a 2-1 away win against League Two team Gillingham.

United will play Tottenham in the next round, while other match-ups see league leaders Liverpool host Merseyside neighbours Everton.

Cardiff City, last season's beaten finalists, are drawn at home to Arsenal, while Chelsea, held to a surprise 1-1 third round draw by Southend United are drawn at home against Championship side Ipswich Town, if they win their replay.

Nottingham Forest, who beat Premier League side Manchester City 3-0, are drawn against local rivals Derby County.

The two minor Football League sides already through to the fourth round have been handed home ties with Torquay United playing Coventry City and Kettering Town hosting Premier League side Fulham.

The final is not until the end of May.