Bates and Al Fayed blast FA

Both Chairmen have been incensed by the FA's decision to play their FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park on a Sunday evening. Al Fayed said "Their conduct is simply unacceptable. It was frankly iconceivable to us when expressing the preference for Villa Park that an evening kick-off time would be fixed without prior consultation.

"It has been decided solely for television and with wholesale and utter disregard for the convenience of the clubs and their supporters."

Bates had early stated that he wanted the tie to be staged at Highbury as it would be more convenient for both sets of fans.