We are starting to sort the men from the boys in the FA Cup as we head towards the quarter final stage and Wednesday’s two matches will give two sides the opportunity to advance one step closer to glory.

For the victor in the fifth round replay between Arsenal and Leyton Orient a daunting trip to Old Trafford awaits. Can Orient go one better this time around and heap further cup woe on the Gunners? At Eastlands Manchester City and Aston Villa will view a quarter-final at home to Reading as a golden ticket to reach the semi-finals. We look at both matches and point you in the right direction as to where you should put your money.

Manchester City v Aston Villa (7:45pm)

With Roberto Mancini and his Manchester City team conceding the title after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Fulham the cup competitions offer the Italian the last chance to secure some silverware. In the Europa League it looks as though only a handful of teams could cause City too many problems and should they get past Villa on Wednesday night they will begin to believe a double is in the offing. However, Villa’s last hope of success this season is the FA Cup and having come within touching distance of silverware last year in the Carling Cup they’ll be eager to go one step further this time around.

Earlier in the season City thrashed Villa 4-0 at Eastlands but that was a different Villa team and Gerard Houllier will have been pleased with the progress they have made since then. The Villains have lost just one of their last nine in all competitions, including a 1-0 win over City at home. With survival in the Premier League looking more and more likely the trip to Eastlands has taken on the added importance of keeping the club’s season alive. A win against City and Villa will be confident of beating Reading in the next round to reach the semi-finals for the second year running.

However, Houllier’s options are depleted with James Collins, Carlos Cuellar, Darren Bent and Jean Makoun all absent. The youngsters who struggled earlier in the season might have to be thrown back in against a City side that could contain Carlos Tevez, Eden Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and David Silva. City have their own problems in defence and if Villa can keep the formidable quartet quiet at the other end they have a chance. City can not afford to take Villa lightly or it could be just the Europa League they are left playing for this season.

Match Bet: Aston Villa to win @ 5/1.

Arsenal v Leyton Orient (7:45pm)

Having tipped up a draw in the first game between these two unevenly matched teams it would take a brave man to put their money on this fifth round replay to go to extra time this time around. Had Chelsea not beaten Manchester United on Tuesday the atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium would have been very downbeat after Sunday. However, hope springs eternal for the Gunners and the notoriously quiet home fans might be looking on the bright side of life again. The amount of games Arsenal are playing appears to be taking its toll in terms of injuries and the last thing they need is this replay against an Orient team who have been flying of late.

Russell Slade’s men have not lost any of the last 13 matches in all competitions, a run of results which includes their famous FA Cup wins away at Norwich and Swansea. However, anyone who watched the first match will know Orient were outplayed for much of it and were perhaps a tad lucky to earn a replay. Wednesday night will be seen as just a bonus night for Orient and should Arsenal be professional they should easily roll over the League One side.

How Arsenal react to Sunday’s Carling Cup final defeat will be the key to this game. If they come out looking to make amends then Orient could get a hammering. If they come out feeling sorry for themselves – and this could be more likely – then a hard-fought victory for Arsene Wenger’s men seems on the cards.

Match Bet: Arsenal to win 2-0 @ 11/2.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.