#FACUP

FA Cup: BBC brings back all-day coverage of final for 2015

The BBC is devoting a whole day of programming to Saturday's FA Cup final this Saturday, reviving the tradition of coverage of the Wembley showpiece.

Holders Arsenal take on Aston Villa live on BBC One. Kick-off is 17:30 BST and at the heart of 17 hours of coverage.

Highlights of the television build-up to the game include special editions of Saturday Kitchen and TOTP 2.

There will also be special content on Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website.

All the build-up as well as the final itself can be watched on the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app on desktop, mobile and tablet devices.

You can download the app here:

ommentary from 09:00 BST until 22:00 BST with all the build-up, match action and reaction. BBC Sport social media users will be asked to perform their own #facuplift  on social media, sharing their images and videos of them lifting their own trophy.

BBC School Reporters on Wembley Way will be feeding into our live coverage and if you fancy a go yourself, you can!

Your FA Cup live is an alternative live text commentary - written entirely by you. Get involved and describe the action on the day using #getcarriedaway 

Could you do better? Have a go during the FA Cup final on Saturday

During the day's coverage BBC Sport online will bring you behind-the-scenes footage from Wembley on Vine,  Periscope and Instagram,  while users of the BBC Sport website will have access to in-game live clips including goals, key incidents and the best reaction.

Out on the pitch, 64 members of the Songs of Praise FA Cup fans choir will provide a different twist to the traditional pre-match song Abide With Me.

In the build-up to the final on Saturday, viewers can vote for the best goal during Match of the Day's 50 years on air.

Danny Cohen, the BBC's director of television, said: "The BBC has delivered so much unique FA Cup programming to audiences since its return to BBC TV this season, it's only fitting to end the competition on

'It would be huge to play in the final'

Wojciech Szczesny admits it would be “huge" to play in the FA Cup final against Aston Villa.

The Poland goalkeeper has featured in all but one of Arsenal's cup matches this season, including the semi-final victory against Reading.

Szczesny was a member of last season’s FA Cup-winning squad and says that playing in the final this time around would make the occasion even more special.

This year I only missed the first game and have played the rest, but it’s the manager’s decision. I accept whatever it is but I’m desperate to play

Wojciech Szczesny

“It would be huge,” he told Arsenal Player. “I did get a medal last year but it hasn’t got the full flavour if you didn’t play in the final. This year I’m hoping I can claim that trophy and be fully satisfied.

“Last year it was a straightforward decision for the boss. Lukasz played throughout the competition and I knew from day one that he would play in the final. It was very easy for me to take.

“This year I only missed the first game and have played the rest, but it’s the manager’s decision. I accept whatever it is but I’m desperate to play.”

Arsenal have beaten Villa twice already this season, but Szczesny does not believe that will have any bearing on the FA Cup final.

“Villa have played well in the last two or three months of the season,” he said. “They head a terrific game in the semi-final and have been very strong, so we’re fully expecting a tight game.

“We are the so-called favourites and we know that, but we have full respect for the Villa team. If we’re well prepared, focused and ready to put a foot in, we should be the favourites and ready to win the game.”

image: http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/images/may_15/gun__1431338569_szczesny_train01.jpg

Wojciech Szczesny
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150529/-it-would-be-huge-to-play-in-the-final#rdOOGf0Rx0E30oPs.99

FA Cup: Aston Villa fan Prince William nervous ahead of final

FA Cup final: Arsenal v Aston Villa
Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Saturday 30 May Kick-off: 17:30 BST Coverage: Watch on BBC One; listen on BBC Radio 5 live; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website, app & mobiles

Aston Villa fan Prince William says he is starting to feel the nerves ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final with Arsenal.

The Duke of Cambridge, who is also the FA president, will be at Wembley to watch the game and present the trophy to the winning side.

In an interview with Gary Lineker for Football Focus, Prince William, 32, said: "I'm nervous now. I'm terrified."

Prince William also spoke of his hopes Prince George and Princess Charlotte will grow up to be Aston Villa fans.

In his first broadcast interview since the birth of Charlotte on 2 May, which will be broadcast on BBC One at 12:10 BST this Saturday, Prince William talked about:

• how he first became an Aston Villa fan
• his thoughts about Aston Villa under Tim Sherwood
• his role as FA president
• his desire to see racism in football "stamped out"
• his support for grassroots football

Prince William said he became a Villa fan when he was at school because he was keen to follow a team that could give him more "emotional moments".

"I was looking round for clubs to support and all my friends at school were either Manchester United fans or Chelsea fans," he said.

"I didn't really want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams, and I wanted to have a team that was more middle of the table, that could give me the more emotional rollercoaster moments. To be honest, now looking back, that was a bad idea…I could have had an easier time!"

Prince William plans to let his children make their own choice when it comes to choosing the team they support but said it would be hard not to encourage them to follow in his footsteps.

"The responsible thing would be to say, to let [George] make his own mind up, but I think I might be quite biased," he added.

"I haven't quite worked out how to play that yet. Of course he can support whoever he wants, but if he supports Villa, it'd be fantastic. I'd love to go to the odd match with him in the future.

"It'll probably end up being that Charlotte is the Villa fan and George will go and support someone else!"

As for when he will take his eldest child, Prince George, to his first football match, Prince William admitted that may not be his decision to make.

He said: "I don't know, I'll have to pass that by the missus, see how I can get away with it!

"At the moment, being only 22 months, it's a little bit early."

Aston Villa have won the FA Cup seven times but their last victory was in 1957.

Whatever happens on Saturday, Prince William believes the club has a bright future with Tim Sherwood as manager.

He said: "I think it's been an interesting season for Villa, the last two seasons have been quite hard work, being close to relegation

"The guys have battled through, they've done seriously well, and I'm really excited about Tim's leadership, he's doing a really great job with them."