Matt Maher: Why Wolves should be right up for the FA Cup

Yet with Villa second in the Premier League and through to the last-16 to the Europa Conference League, this is a season where the Cup genuinely, for now, sits third on their list of priorities.

Neither would you expect it to be the full focus of Carlos Corberan, albeit the onus is on Albion to avoid embarrassment against non-league Aldershot.

It is a very different story, however, for Gary O’Neil, who takes his Wolves team to Brentford after a fantastic festive return left them sitting comfortably in mid-table, any concerns about relegation all but banished before 2023 was out.

For Wolves, the FA Cup really should be a priority. There is no real excuse for resting players, particularly with the next match more than a fortnight away (provided, of course, they avoid a replay).

In Brentford, they have an opponent who looked tougher on paper than they do now. The Bees formidable home record has been dented by back-to-back defeats to Villa and Wolves.

Indeed, Thomas Frank’s team have lost seven of their last eight and with the bottom three drawing ever near, it is likely the Danish head coach will shuffle the pack.

That presents an opportunity for Wolves. Win tonight and then focus on the draw. No-one will much fancy a cup tie at Molineux this season, that is for sure.

n Farewell then, Wayne Rooney. Who could possibly have seen this coming? Everyone apart from Blues chief executive Garry Cook, is the answer.

Rooney paid the price for what looked a poor appointment from the start with his job. His managerial career will require some rebuilding.

Cook, for now, remains in post. He can surely ill afford another rotten call.