Why humiliated Aston Villa now have to going into the Lions’ Den on a cold Friday night in bid to avoid second shock of week



Millwall have moved their FA Cup fourth round tie with Aston Villa from Saturday to Friday night, but it’s all for a good cause.



The club decided not to hold the game on Saturday after it was announced that a major demonstration against cuts at Lewisham Hospital, starting at midday, is planned for the weekend.



It is anticipated that the demonstration and rally at Mountsfield Park will attract thousands of protestors, which means that a substantial supply of police forces will be needed.



The match is now due to kick off at 7.45 on Friday night.

Supportive: The club allowed hospital staff to hand out leaflets and petitions at their game against Burnley

Loss: Millwall lost out to Burnley 2-0 on Saturday

Dejection: Stephen Ireland and Co face going out of another cup competition to lower-league opponents

‘Whilst changing the date of our Cup tie is an inconvenience to us, we believe there is a bigger picture here,’ said the club website.



‘Millwall Football Club, our players, staff and many thousands of fans have, over the years, had reason to be grateful for the resources, facilities and care we have received from our local hospital.



We are not persuaded by the arguments put forward in favour of closing the A&E department, childrens ward, intensive care and maternity services at Lewisham.’



Staff and supporters from the hospital were present at the team’s match against Burnley, which Milwall lost 2-0, handing out leaflets and petitions destined for Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt’s office.

The players took to the pitch in T-shirts declaring their support and the club now intends to create a video to promote it.



Villa could have used any extra practice time after their loss on aggregate to fourth-tier Bradford in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.



The League Two side lost last night’s match 2-1 after a late strike from Andreas Weimann, but their 3-1 advantage from the first leg sent them through to the final at Wembley.







