www.thelockmen.co.uk's new feature length article series, will provide viewers with the perfect insight as to the progression of Football in the heart of the country. 'West Midlands Football Analysis' covers all aspects of recent fixtures for the local outfit's, and how significant their efforts are, in relation to the competitive structure. Wolves, West Brom, Birmingham City, and Aston Villa are amongst many clubs covered in the website's emphatic weekly article.

'Wembley Aspirations - Significant Success for West Midlands Outfits' - Matthew Bagnall

Prospects of a venture to Wembley on this season's FA CUP journey, may be converted into a reality in the forseeable future, with Aston Villa, Birmingham City, and West Bromich Albion all initially progressing to the Fifth Round of the competition, with the Wolves provided another opportunity to overcome a financially stricken; Crystal Palace. The Saddlers' defeat to Brentford in the Second Round of the competition, prevented any form of competitive football to be staged at the Banks' Stadium this weekend. A club with Champions League aspirations, already confirming a League Cup Final visit to London's great, matched with the pride of Sussex, Gus Poyet's Brighton outfit; visited Villa Park on Saturday afternoon, followed by an emphatic 6,000 supporting contingent, to correspond with a valiant effort. The contrast in credentials between the sides was clearly evident in the opening exchanges, with Martin O'Neill's side gaining an early advantage through the inexperienced; Nathan Delfouneso, who received a through-ball from verstaile midfielder; Marc Albrighton, before slotting home with significant composure, to record the eleventh strike at Villa Park in a matter of two encounters. The enthralling encounter against Blackburn Rovers, perhaps morivated a further scoring-spree, with the League One outfit; astonishing the League Cup finalists, prior to the interval, through a less than convincing finish from Tommy Elphic at the near post, much to the elation of the Seagulls' contingent. The experienced winger; Ashley Young resembled his intentions to visit South Africa in June, converting from close-range following a sublime cross from former Middlesbrough midfielder; Stewart Downing, following the break. Former Leeds United heroic; Fabian Delph increased the Premier League side's advantage, with approximately thirty minutes remaining, but a tense and apprehensive conclusion to the fixture was endured by Villa, following prolific striker; Nicky Forster's response in additional time at the end of the encounter. O'Neill's side survived the final exchanges, and remain on course for another Wembley venture, with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal's disposal of the competition. One Midlands outfit; intending to prevent a second Wembley visit this campaign, is Mick Mccarthy's Wolves, who should they overcome Crystal Palace in an enthralling replay, will entertain Villa at Molineux in the Fifth Round of the competition. The Palace encounter wasn't as simplistic as anticipated though, with Neil Warnock's financially stricken club, gaining an early advantage from the head of Alan Lee, the veteran forward, converting from close-range with a set-piece delivery. The visitors threatened on numerous occasions to increase their advantage, before Claude Davis sustained a potentially significant injury, which shifted all forms of momentum in favour of Mccarthy's men. An audacious cross from acting Right-Midfielder; Kevin Foley, was diverted in preference to the recently recovered; David Jones, who converted from outside the area, for his first successful strike since the Coca Cola Championship clash with Southampton in April. The prolific Palace midfielder; Darren Ambrose restored the Championship side's advantage following the interval, with an exceptional set-piece, decieving the returning Wayne Hennessey, before rifling into the bottom right corner, to the elation of the Palace contingent. An agitated fight-back from the Wanderers, finally bought just rewards prior to the conclusion, with a sublime cross from the left, greeted with enthusiasm from Right-Back; Ronald Zubar, who having recovered from a minor injury, thrashed the ball into the top right corner, to confirm a required replay at Selhurst Park. Birmingham City extended their unbeaten run to fifteen games in Merseyside on Saturday afternoon, as they overcame the threat of an ever developing Everton side, to progress to the Fifth Round of the competition. Having inflicted Roberto Mancini's first defeat as Manchester City Manager last weekend, David Moyes' men were immediately on the receiving end in the encounter, with Christian Benitez' converting a header from close-range, following a significant cross from Keith Fahey. The Blues doubled their advantage prior to the interval, with former Rangers' midfielder; Barry Ferguson completing an exceptional flowing display, clinically beating the experienced Tim Howard from close-range. A nervous and apprehensive second-period was endured by Mcleish's men, with Leon Osman replying for the blue half of Merseyside, imminently following the break, but the side from the second city progressed to the Fifth Round, in addition to Midland rivals; West Bromich Albion, who overcame the threat of Championship leaders; Newcastle United at the Hawthorns. Having competed for the second occasion in a week, a contrasting score-line was produced, in an enthralling encounter, with Roberto Di Matteo's side gaining the initiative. Jonas Olsson's conversion from close range, following a set-piece from versatile midfielder; Chris Brunt, before Graham Dorrans doubled Albion's advantage from twelve yards. United responded following the interval, with Andy Carroll's sublime volley restoring hope for the visitors, before Full-Back; Ryan Taylor was dismissed for a sincial challenge on winger; Jerome Thomas. Dorrans once again stepped up, and diverted the ball into the back of the net from the resulting spot-kick, effectively confirming victory for the hosts. Jerome Thomas completed a comprehensive victory in the seventy-sixth minute, but Carroll once again replied for the Durham based club in additional time, at the conclusion of the encounter. The Fifth Round Draw, anticipates a visit for Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa to Molineux, providing Mccarthy's men can overcome the threat of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Blues reward for an emphatic victory at Goodison Park, is a venture to East Midlands' outfit; Derby County, with Albion confirming the only all Championship encounter, when they travel to a Reading outfit; bolstered by success over Liverpool and Burnley in recent weeks. Wolves host Liverpool in the return to Barclays Premier League action on Tuesday, with Aston Villa entertaining a defeated Arsenal on Wednesday evening, whilst Blues unbeaten record is significantly threatened when they travel to Stamford Bridge in mid-week. Roberto Di Matteo's Albion outfit, hope to bolster their prospects for a return to the Premier League when they travel to East Anglia, contesting against Ipswich Town, whilst The Saddler's entertain current League One leaders; Norwich City, in a contest re-arranged for the third occasion in the past month. www.thelockmen.co.uk will provide reader's with in-depth knowledge as to the progression of each club, as they contest difficult encounters in the mid-week programme.

(Pictured - Barry Ferguson celebrates his successful strike at Goodison Park, prompting victory for The Blues in the FA CUP Fourth Round encounter - Courtesy of BBC Sport)