STEVE McCLAREN believes the Football Association's decision to scrap FA Cup fifth and sixth-round replays is "unfair".

The FA yesterday decided to change the format of the world's oldest knock out competition to give England boss Sven Goran Eriksson four weeks - rather than three - preparation time for the World Cup in Germany next year.

Changes include: moving the cup final - at the new Wembley Stadium - forward one week from May 20 to May 13; all sides still involved in the UEFA Cup are excused from fifth and sixth-round replays, and those in the Champions League will not have to replay their quarter-finals.

There have been several dissenting voices, including Mark Hughes, David Moyes and Neil Warnock, regarding the changes to the prestigious competition since the decision was announced.

The charges range from: it favours the Premiership's big boys, a loss of revenue for the smaller clubs, and an insult to the tradition and sacrosanctity of the world's greatest cup competition.

McClaren yesterday added his voice to the growing number of those concerned before his side set off for their Premiership match at Aston Villa.

"It seems a little unfair on the clubs who aren't in Europe and aren't involved in the latter stages of the FA Cup," said the Middlesbrough boss.

"There are many times in the fifth and sixth round when you go away from home to a big team and say, if we can get a draw and bring them back to our place we have a better chance.

"But now that is not the case and I think it is a little unfair on those clubs. They should just make one rule and stick with it. They should either scrap all replays or keep the replays in."

McClaren understands the FA's decision to alter the format of the competition and admitted the change to bring the cup final forward a week will benefit the England squad as they prepare for Germany 2006.

"It has been done for the four-week break England need in preparation for the World Cup, which I agree with," said Eriksson's number two. "The FA have made this decision and it won't be pleasing for some people but will delight others.

"It is vitally important that we get the four weeks and it is something Sven fought for because it brings us in line with the rest of Europe. It would have been strange with all of Europe having four weeks to prepare and us getting three. I know, being involved with England, that the preparation is vital."

The Teessiders head to the Midlands for this afternoon's Premiership clash on the back of a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions and looking to equal last year's 2-0 victory.

The win at Villa Park was Middlesbrough's first in the top flight in 24 years, though they did chalk up a 2-1 victory in 1987 in the old second division.

With Villa struggling to find any fit forwards for the clash, McClaren knows his side have a great opportunity to grab a win and take another step towards securing a European spot next season.

He said: "We are confident going into this game. We're unbeaten in five games and it's about time we won away.

"We have a good record at Villa. "We won there last year. I think they'll be smarting after last week's result (a 3-1 home defeat to Everton) and they'll be dangerous opposition at Villa Park.

"They're only seven points behind us and if they win it will be four, so it's is important we get a result.

"David O'Leary described their performance last week as shocking but they are a very good side. They came here (in December) and we won 3-0, and it was flattering for us really. They kept possession and played some really good football, which they always do, and play very hard. It is not going to be an easy game."

O'Leary has demanded Aston Villa's players bounce back from their ''rubbish'' performance against Everton.

But his players will also have to encounter a ''Show Doug The Red Card'' protest against chairman Doug Ellis from supporters group Villa Fans Combined.

This could play into the hands of Boro, and with just over a quarter of the season left, McClaren believes his team are now approaching the most vital stage of their season and insisted they won't be taking a pragmatic approach in a bid to achieve their goals.

"Our target coming into the last ten games of the season was to be in contention for a top-six place and still be Europe," said McClaren.

"We can't make any slip-ups or any mistakes. If we get a bad result it could really cost us because the other teams will take advantage. We also have to go for wins at this stage, so we have to go out and attack.

"Sometimes you have to take risks to win matches because the rewards are great. So we won't be erring on the side of safety."

Boro's preparations for the game were hit by news that Michael Reiziger has injured his ankle and won't be available. The former Holland international will also miss Thursday's UEFA Cup tie against Sporting Lisbon at the Riverside Stadium. Stuart Parnaby and Tony McMahon both come into contention for his place.

Meanwhile, the breakdown of Andrew Davies' move to QPR has come as "no great disappointment" to McClaren.

The move broke down when he couldn't agree personal terms.

Although McClaren wouldn't divulge how much Rangers' boss Ian Holloway offered for the defender, he did admit it was over the £650,000 they paid Sunderland for Richard Ord six years ago.