FA Cup Fifth Round Kicks Off Amid VAR Introduction and Rivals Clash

LONDON, England — The FA Cup has reached its fifth round, featuring an exciting lineup of matches set to unfold from February 28 to March 3. The introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) and advanced offside technology amplifies the anticipation as teams vie for a place in the quarter-finals.

The action begins on Friday with Aston Villa hosting Cardiff City at 20:00 GMT. Aston Villa, seeking their first major trophy since 1996, faces a Cardiff side struggling in the Championship.

On Saturday, four more matches are scheduled. Manchester City will take on Plymouth Argyle at 17:45 GMT, with City having won their last 18 FA Cup matches against lower division teams by a staggering score of 69-9. A highlight of the day will be Crystal Palace’s encounter with Millwall at 12:15 GMT, marking a rare derby clash between the two London rivals.

“It will be a high-quality game with good players on the pitch, and hopefully we can do ourselves justice,” Millwall manager Alex Neil said. Similar expectations are echoed by Palace’s boss Oliver Glasner, who anticipates a “big football party” at Selhurst Park.

Sunday’s matches include defending champions Manchester United facing Fulham at 16:30 GMT. United has had a rocky season but looks to leverage their experience to push for another Cup triumph. Highlight analysis will be presented by a panel including Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards.

Meanwhile, Brighton aims to capitalize on their recent form when they meet Newcastle United at 13:45 GMT, with Danny Welbeck buoyed by the challenge ahead.

The final fifth-round tie will see Nottingham Forest hosting Ipswich Town at 19:30 GMT on Monday. As with the other matches, all games will be contested on the day. Should scores be level after 90 minutes, extra time and possible penalty shootouts will follow.

BBC Sport will provide live text commentary and updates across all platforms, ensuring fans remain connected to the action. Commentary will be available on Radio 5 Live, with key matches featuring commentary from well-known personalities like Alistair Bruce-Ball and Izzy Christiansen.

As VAR takes its debut in competitive English matches, the aim is to alleviate human error during decisive moments. Match officials will announce decisions related to reviewed incidents in-stadium for improved transparency for fans.

“We believe the technology will enhance the match experience by providing clarity,” said a FA spokesperson. The knowledge that every play can be scrutinized adds an extra layer of tension as teams compete fiercely to secure their status in the competition.

This round not only promises exciting matchups but also evokes the rich narrative of the FA Cup’s history, where underdogs often triumph over giants. Plymouth Argyle, for example, aims to continue their Cinderella story by attempting to upset Manchester City after their remarkable wins over Brentford and Liverpool in earlier rounds.

“To win the FA Cup is massive; it’s great, I really enjoy it. The magic of the FA Cup lives on,” Argyle’s manager Steven Schumacher remarked.

As the rich tapestry of this year’s FA Cup continues to unfurl, teams, players, and fans look ahead to thrilling encounters that could define their seasons. Who will rise to the occasion, claim victory, and advance to the quarter-finals?