• FA Cup

Ancelotti says Drogba will start cup semi

Didier Drogba scored Chelsea's second in their win at Old Trafford on Saturday © Getty Images

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Didier Drogba will start Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley after scoring Chelsea's crucial second goal at Old Trafford last weekend.

Drogba missed Chelsea's 7-1 win over Villa in the Premier League, but Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "Didier is a very important player for us. Sometimes a player can be useful when he only plays 30 minutes.

"Didier did this very well against Manchester United. He was fresh when he came on the pitch and he did a fantastic job. He scored."

Drogba has an excellent strike record at Wembley, including a double strike in last season's FA Cup semi-final and the equaliser against Everton in the final.

Ancelotti added: "Drogba will not stay on the bench on Saturday. He will play from the beginning."

Ancelotti is excited at the prospect of his first competitive game at Wembley. He said: "We are happy to play at Wembley. It is a fantastic stadium and there will be a fantastic atmosphere. The pitch is not a problem."

Having been knocked out of the Champions League by former boss Jose Mourinho last month, Ancelotti confirmed Chelsea are now targeting a domestic double, something he has never achieved as a coach.

"After the defeat against Inter, it became our aim to win the double. But we have to play six or seven games and every game will be difficult because it is the end of the season and every team has an aim."

Ancelotti will wait to decide whether or not to play Hilario ahead of Cech in goal, given that Hilario is struggling with a groin strain. "Hilario has played all the games in the FA Cup but he had a little problem this week so I want to wait until Saturday to make a decision," he said.

Branislav Ivanovic, meanwhile, is likely to return to the squad after recovering from a knee injury.

"Maybe we can recall Ivanovic but he is not 100% fit," Ancelotti said. "He trained with the team today (Thursday) so maybe he can start from the bench."

Ancelotti confirmed that Ashley Cole is hoping to be fit in time for Chelsea's Premier League game with Stoke on April 25.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.