text: Tim Sherwood has confirmed he will start Shay Given against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday, a day before the Irishman turns 39. Given has been selected each round of the competition, beginning under Paul Lambert, and Sherwood said he would keep faith with his deputy goalkeeper. Brad Guzan, Villa’s No 1, suffered heartbreak in 2010, when he was understudy to Brad Friedel but played every round of the League Cup – before being left out of the final against Manchester United by manager Martin O’Neill. Shay Given will start for Aston Villa against Liverpool in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley . The 38-year-old has played in all four of Villa's FA Cup matches this season and has kept two clean-sheets . Villa manager Tim Sherwood confirmed Given will start on Sunday, a day before the Irishman turns 39 . But Sherwood said there would be no such turnaround this year, with Given lasting until the final if Villa make it there. ‘Shay plays. Absolutely,’ said Sherwood. ‘He’s done nothing wrong Shay, he’s a large part of the reason we’re in this semi-final. ‘The saves he made against Leicester were fantastic and at the right time. He trains fantastically well and he’s pushing Brad all the way for that No 1 spot.’ Sherwood watched his Villa side in training on Friday as they prepare for the weekend's crunch clash . Tom Cleverley will be hoping to start at Wembley as he bids to impress with his loan expiring in the summer . Carlos Sanchez signed for Aston Villa from Elche during the summer and has made 31 appearences . Sherwood believes Villa can upset favourites Liverpool. ‘It’s a very exciting game, a great opportunity for this club to get to an FA Cup final,’ he added. ‘I’ve lost semi-finals myself, not a great feeling. ‘We’re going in with a positive state of mind. This club’s relegation is not at stake on Sunday it is about us maybe getting some glory for the football club. ‘We have the mindest to win the game, impose ourselves on a very good Liverpool side, that’s what we intend to do. ‘We think we’re capable, we have a good blend of players who can play and maybe go direct at time. We’re prepared to mix it up, we have a plan and we hope we can affect Liverpool.’ Fabian Delph (left) and Christian Benteke (right) were put through their paces ahead of Sunday's semi-final . Joe Cole lifted the FA Cup three times during a seven-year stint at Premier League leaders Chelsea . Aston Villa defeated rivals West Brom 2-0 in the last round to book their semi-final appearance at Wembley .
target: Shay Given to start against Liverpool in FA Cup a day before he turns 39 .
  Tim Sherwood confirmed the news as he prepares for Sunday's semi-final .
  Given has played in all four of Aston Villa's FA Cup matches this term .