OXFORD United’s rising stars will get a taste of the big time tonight as they attempt a giant-killing against Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup (7).

The young guns beat Swindon Town 3-2 in the previous round and have been given an added boost, with the third-round tie switched to the brand new Academy Stadium of the Premier League champions.

It will be the first competitive game at the 7,000-seater facility, where the U’s will start as big outsiders.

City’s cosmopolitan squad, coached by former Blackburn winger Jason Wilcox, features talent from across Europe.

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They could field a line-up tonight which includes youth internationals from seven different countries.

But the visitors are relishing the chance to go toe-to-toe with future stars according to Chris Allen, United’s youth team coach.

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“The whole place is buzzing,” he said.

“For me it’s another game and we look at development and getting professional players into the first team.

“For the young lads, it’s the occasion.

“It’s under floodlights which they look forward to and it’s playing against clubs like this that you don’t come up against every week and trying to pit yourselves against top boys.”

The U’s caused an upset on the road at this stage last season, winning 3-1 at Swansea City.

But Allen believes toppling the Citizens, who won the competition in 2008, would represent as big a shock as if it happened with the senior sides in the FA Cup.

He said: “Clubs in League Two aren’t expected to beat sides like Man City so if it was the first team doing it, it would be the same.

“It would be a big scalp for us if we get the win, for them it’s a run-of-the-mill result if they get through.”

He added: “They’ve got a massive budget and are able to go and buy players – we don’t have that luxury and have to recruit and scout.”

And Allen’s task is not helped by one of the opposition sharing a resemblance to one of City’s senior stars.

“They’ve got a lad who looks just like (Sergio) Aguero, so that could put the frighteners on us,” he joked.

“You know they will be technically good and will have good movement, so it will be a good night.

“Runs like this give the boys confidence.

“They’re doing well in their league campaign, although it’s not results-driven it’s about development, but getting nice little cherries on top where you do well in the FA Youth Cup is an added bonus.”

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