Taylor backs Gills for Cup shock

Taylor led the Gills to promotion by winning the Division Two play-off final

Former Gillingham boss Peter Taylor believes having home advantage against Aston Villa in the FA Cup could help the Gills create a third-round upset.

Taylor told BBC Radio Kent: "If Villa were playing at home to Gillingham, you would put quite a few bob on them.

"But at Priestfield anything can happen and that's the beauty of the FA Cup.

"Gillingham will be preparing with nothing to lose, whereas Villa will wonder if it could be a banana skin and that doesn't help your preparation."

The Medway side held Taylor's League Two leaders, Wycombe Wanderers, to a 1-1 draw at Priestfield on Sunday.

I'm sure Gillingham will make it an uncomfortable afternoon for them

Peter Taylor

Taylor guided Gillingham to promotion via the Division Two play-off final in 2000.

He also experienced the atmosphere of a 11,000 sell-out crowd at Priestfield during their FA Cup run that year.

He said: "The year I had there we had Bradford and Sheffield Wednesday in the cup and it was fantastic.

"Aston Villa are one of the best teams in the Premier League at the minute, and one of the most exciting teams.

"But I'm sure Gillingham will still make it an uncomfortable afternoon for them.

"It's a great game because there's nothing to lose and I'm sure the supporters will be making plenty of noise like they did when we had our two games."

There will be commentary of Gillingham v Aston Villa on BBC Radio Kent and online at bbc.co.uk/kent