The Gills are preparing to do battle in the FA Cup tonight with a plum third round tie at stake.

If Mark Stimson's men overcome Stockport, they will face Premier League side Aston Villa.

And the tie has been chosen for live television coverage by ITV on Sunday, January 4.

As the Gills make the journey to Edgeley Park, they will take heart from the fact that Stockport lost their last home game, to fellow promotion contenders Peterborough, on Saturday.

They are strengthening the Villa link by preparing for the replay at the West Midlands club's training ground.

A tie against Aston Villa would certainly be a glamorous one. Villa are one of the great old names of football and are currently enjoying a renaissance under manager Martin O'Neill.

They currently stand in fifth place in the Premier Lesague and are tipped to be the first side to break the Big Four's stranglehold this season.

If Gills overcome Stockport they can look forward to welcoming the likes of England stars Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor to Priestfield