Paul Smith


What: English League Cup final
Who: Aston Villa vs Manchester United
When: Sunday 28th February 2010 at 15:00 GMT
Where: Wembley Stadium, London, England

The 50th Anniversary Final

The English League Cup, a competition that began in 1960 celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. The competition’s first winners were Aston Villa so it’s fitting they are participants in this year’s 50th Anniversary final against the current holders Manchester United. Only seven times winners Liverpool have more successes in the League Cup than Aston Villa who have triumphed on five occasions. The Red Devils have been crowned League Cup victors on three occasions.


Route to the final

Aston Villa kicked off with a home game against Championship side Cardiff where a slender 1-0 victory was enough to see them progress. Next up was a visit to Sunderland where Villa won on penalties thanks to the heroics of reserve keeper Brad Guzan. A trip to the south coast to face Portsmouth beckoned next, a 4-2 victory saw the Villains go through and the Villa faithful dreaming of a first trip to Wembley for a decade. All that stood between Villa and the National Stadium were Blackburn Rovers in the semi-final. 

James Milner’s goal provided the Birmingham outfit with the advantage after the first leg. What followed in the second leg was nothing short of extraordinary. Blackburn were 2-0 up within 20 minutes but then Christopher Samba’s sending off changed the game and the Midlands side ran out 6-4 winners on the night, 7-4 winners on aggregate. The Villains were heading to Wembley for the first time in a decade.

Manchester United set out on the road to Wembley with a 1-0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. In the next round the Red Devils faced Barnsley away with Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen earning the Manchester side a 2-0 victory. Their reward in the quarter-final was a home tie against Tottenham Hotspur where a Darron Gibson brace saw United progress to the semi-final.  Awaiting Manchester United were their fierce city rivals Manchester City where the presence of a certain Carlos Tevez added plenty of spice to an already passionate local derby. 

The first leg at Eastlands finished 2-1 to the hosts with Carlos Tevez, who else?, scoring the Manchester City goals. The Citizens had the advantage as the tie headed for the second leg at Old Trafford. With the score 2-1 to Manchester United and extra-time looming Wayne Rooney rose to meet a Ryan Giggs cross and directed his header past Shay Given. Cue pandemonium at Old Trafford. The holders were going to Wembley to defend their cup.

Recent meetings

Manchester United 4-0 Aston Villa (Premier League – March 2008)
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United (Premier League – November 2008)
Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa (Premier League – April 2009)
Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa (Premier League – December 2009)
Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United (Premier League – February 2010)

Recent form

Aston Villa:
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Aston Villa 1 -1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Crystal Palace 2-2 Aston Villa (FA Cup 5th Round)
Aston Villa 5-2 Burnley (Premier League)
Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace (FA Cup 5th Round Replay)

Manchester United:
Manchester United 5-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
AC Milan 2-3 Manchester United (Champions League – Round of 16 first leg)
Everton 3-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Manchester United 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)

Key Absences

Aston Villa: Nigel Reo-Coker, Stiliyan Petrov (doubt)

Manchester United: Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, John O’Shea, Owen Hargreaves, Nani (Suspension)



Players to watch

Aston Villa – Richard Dunne: Since completing his move to Villa Park the former Manchester City captain has been a revelation, marshalling one of the best defences in the Premier League. Sunday’s Carling Cup final sees Dunne compete in his first Wembley final and the fairytale may not end there. With doubts surrounding the fitness of club captain Stiliyan Petrov the centre back could lead out the Villains and stand the chance of collecting the trophy if Villa triumph.

Manchester United – Wayne Rooney: The former Everton player has the hopes of both club and country firmly on his young shoulders in 2010. Rooney has, quite simply, been a revelation this season having already scored 27 goals in all competitions. He has the ability and the confidence to win a match on his own and the Villa defence will need to work hard to thwart the England striker.

Tactical Analysis

In their two Premier League meetings this season Aston Villa have a return of four points, including a historic 1-0 win at Old Trafford, Villa’s first at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ since 1983. When the Villains travelled to Manchester the Red Devils were suffering a defensive injury crisis, and Martin O’Neill opted to play 4-4-2 with Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the wide positions: It was Ashley Young, causing problems for emergency right back Darren Fletcher that created Gabby Agnbonlahor’s winner. When it came to the return fixture at Villa Park, O’Neill switched to a 4-5-1 formation with Fabian Delph impressing as the extra man in midfield. 

Sir Alex Ferguson generally opts to play a variation of 4-5-1 with Wayne Rooney employed as a lone striker. In midfield Carrick and Fletcher are the key personnel as they aim to secure possession and look to pull the strings. Giggs’ absence is a huge blow for the United boss and it may change his thinking for such a big game which brings Dimitar Berbatov, almost a forgotten man at Old Trafford, into the equation as a second striker to support Wayne Rooney.

Will Aston Villa boss O’Neill be bold and play the 4-4-2 formation that resulted in their victory at Old Trafford? Or will the Ulsterman be more cautious and opt to play the extra midfielder?

Match prediction

Expect a tight game with the Red Devils enjoying most of the possession. Villa will be happy to soak up any United pressure and spring forward on the break utilising their pace and taking advantage of the wide Wembley pitch.

It will be difficult to separate the sides and just like last year’s final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United the match will go to penalties where Villa will triumph and win their first major honour for 14 years.

Fancy a bet on this exciting game? Remember, you can find and compare the prices of all major online bookmakers on tip-ex.com.

 

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