Watford’s Will Hughes is targeting the “massive” occasion of an FA Cup final.
Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over Fulham, which relegated their visitors, ensures Watford head into Sunday’s semi-final against Wolves both high on confidence and having secured a club record Premier League points tally of 46.
That they are also in contention to finish seventh means they remain on course for as impressive a season as they could realistically hope for, following two in which relegation became a significant concern — and three after they missed out on the cup final at Wembley with a disappointing semi-final defeat.
The 23-year-old Hughes had yet to join Watford by that day in 2016 when they lost to Crystal Palace, but he is expected to start on Sunday at Wembley having scored their impressive second goal against Fulham, and he said: “Doing so well in the league is brilliant.
“That in itself is fantastic, but with the FA Cup run as well we could not have hoped for a much better season than it is.
“It would be absolutely huge. As well as doing so well in the league, to reach an FA Cup final would be massive and something we can be really proud of. It is massive.
“You look at Saturday when we played (Manchester) United; we played really well and we were unfortunate to not get a result out of the game. The result (against Fulham) helps us a lot and gives us great confidence going into Sunday.
“The first (FA Cup memory) that comes to mind is probably (in 2006, Liverpool’s Steven) Gerrard in the final against West Ham. I remember that quite vividly. I have never been this far in the FA Cup so I am really excited.”
Unlike Watford, Wolves head into Sunday’s fixture on the back of a victory over Manchester United, therefore in seventh place – one ahead of Hughes’ team – and ensuring they remain in competition on two fronts.
“At the moment they are the best of the rest, the table proves that,” the midfielder said. “We are not taking anything for granted. Although we did beat them earlier on in the season, they have come on leaps and bounds from that game and improved.
“It is going to be a brilliant game with two brilliant teams. Look at their squad; they’ve got a brilliant squad.
“We will be disappointed if we lose on Sunday but we have got every chance, just as much as Wolves do.”
