Argyle Under-18s will look to make club history on Friday night when playing Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup at Villa Park.
A win would secure a semi-final tie against Manchester United at Home Park, and be the furthest the Greens have ever reached in the prestigious competition.
An extra-time win against Carlisle United in the third round, a penalty shoot-out victory over Lincoln in the fourth round, and a 1-0 triumph away from home against Everton in the fifth round have handed Argyle the opportunity to battle with Aston Villa for a final four spot.
Head Coach Jamie Lowry knows how excited his side are for the occasion and the chance to play at a historic ground. However, he wants them to play with the same confidence and belief as in previous rounds.
“We’ve prepared the same way we have for the majority of the games really,” he told Argyle TV. “The boys have had three other games to prepare and deal with the pressures and environments that the FA Youth Cup brings but, as you can imagine, there is excitement and so there should be. It's a great experience for the lads and something they're really looking forward to.
“Some of them will be more nervous than others but it’s how the individual deals with it and how collectively we deal with it. We’ve tried to prepare similarly to the previous games and keep the match preparation as normal as possible.
“We must make a few moments in the game. In the first 10 minutes, we must make sure we're still in it and then when we get opportunities to hurt them, use our strengths to get on top of the game.
“Aston Villa are a very good side with some very good players, hence why they're Category 1. Last week, I think they played Barcelona, when we played Bideford. That potentially shows where the category status is ahead of the tie, but for us, we've got that same mentality, focus and attitude to defend our goal like we did against Everton when no one backed us.
“They’re going to be very well coached, but we've got to do what we do in cup games as the supposed underdogs: fight, scrap, take our moments when we get them, but also be organised, prepared and manage the game when we can.
“It’s good almost to get the game out of the way, if that makes sense. It's probably been in the back of their minds when we played previous games in the league and the league cup. There's been publicity around it, but it’s about getting there on Friday night enjoying the moment and experience, but trying to win the game of football as well.”
Lowry has had the opportunity to coach at Home Park and other stadiums around the UK but admits that the trip to Villa Park gives his side an opportunity they will never forget, despite this also being his first trip there.
He said: “It'll be a nice experience, but I think it's all about the lads. Nothing’s about me. It's about how the lads enjoy what they get out of it. Even when we’ve played at Home Park, I want them to go out there and enjoy it and play with freedom.
“They are going to feel a bit of nerves and a bit of pressure, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity potentially. So go out there, don't have any regrets and enjoy everything they can.
“Let’s hope we go there, get the win and go into the next round.”
