Monday 20 April 2015 16:59, UK
Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given admits he's turning 39 today with the "money can't buy feeling" of reaching next month's FA Cup final against Arsenal.
The Irishman was given the nod by manager Tim Sherwood in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final as Villa produced a stunning fightback to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley.
But the 128-cap Ireland international knows the job is only half done as Villa go in search of their first FA Cup trophy win since 1957.
"It's a special present," he told Sky Sports. "No money can buy you that feeling at the end of the game. Nobody can get you that for a birthday present. I said during the week it would be a great present if we won so I'm delighted.
"The FA Cup is made of dreams. For us as players and fans, we dreamed we could and we probably showed to a few neutrals that we are a good team and we deserve to be in the final.
"But we haven't won anything yet. It's only the semi-final and we'll be in the final come the end of May.
"We've got a few weeks to build up to that. It's great excitement for the fans, great excitement for the players and the manager as well but we want to go on and pick up the trophy.
"We know it's going to be difficult. Arsenal are a great team but we want to go there and try and win the trophy."
It's a special present. No money can buy you that feeling at the end of the game. Nobody can get you that for a birthday present.
Next up for 15th placed Villa is a visit to Manchester City this weekend. Tim Sherwood's side are four points clear of the relegation zone but have played one game more than the three teams immediately behind them.
"We'll put the FA Cup aside and concentrate on our league form," Given added. "We’ve got to get some more points on the board for sure.
"We're not safe yet and we need to get some victories under our belt. The sooner we do that the better because we don’t want it. to go to the last game of the season.
“We want to get the wins on the board as soon as possible then we can focus on the final."
