There is a real confidence in this competition

Last updated : 27 October 2010 By Tony Scholes
"I think it's important to everybody, particularly those who aren't falling over with money," Laws said. "It's an important competition financially. It's rewarding and strengthens your hand.

"It gives me an opportunity if necessary to go out in January and bring in new players if I wanted to. Not that I can't anyway, but it will just strengthen the situation. There's money to be made but there's also the glory side of it as well.

"It's a fantastic opportunity. I have said in previous rounds there's going to be a stage when there's going to be a Championship side in the final and win it. Priorities have changed for Premier League clubs.

"And when there are so many games where Premier League clubs are playing each other there's going to be a chance for somebody. That's why we have taken this seriously, as I have always done in the past."

Looking back to that cup run of two seasons ago, Laws added: "A fantastic cup run was also one of the catalysts for Burnley to get promoted, and if we can continue and mirror that hopefully it will enhance our performances in the league as well.

"There's no pressure on us from a league point of view but we are in a position where there is an opportunity to get close to the final. In the last two years Burnley have started to get a reputation for doing well in the cup competitions and we want that to continue.

"Two years ago the cup run mirrored the league form and Burnley got promotion. Everybody thought they would fade after playing too many games but there is a real confidence in this competition and rightly so. So lets' go to Villa and enjoy it."