Villa Cup draw delights Stimson

Stimson wants his side to focus on their replay at Edgeley Park

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson has said his side's potential FA Cup third-round tie with Premier League outfit Aston Villa would be fantastic for the club.

Stimson wants his players to use the draw as an incentive for their second-round replay at Stockport.

He told BBC Radio Kent: "We can't get away from the fact we've got to go to Stockport first.

"But if we do it, it's a fantastic draw for the football club and I'm sure it [Priestfield] will be a packed house."

Stimson added: "If you're lucky enough to draw a Premier League club then away could be better financially, but home you'd take that.

Our kit man Malcolm got involved with a very angry supporter at the end who called it a load of rubbish

Mark Stimson

"I keep saying let's not get away from the fact we've got a very, very tough game against Stockport first and that's what the players will be told."

Meanwhile, the Gills boss has criticised a small number of fans who abused his staff following their goalless draw on Saturday.

Stimson said: "The players couldn't have given any more but there will be people out there who don't agree with that and they've got their right to their opinion.

"You'd have though 90 per cent of the crowd who would have gone home and been proud.

"Our kit man Malcolm got involved with a very angry supporter at the end, who called it a load of rubbish and a waste of time coming.

"I've told the kit man 'don't get involved, he probably thought you were me because you look like me, just walk away and go and wash the kit' and I said 'leave all that arguing to me'."