Carling Cup Final 2010

The Football League Cup, known in it’s current guise as the Carling Cup, reaches it’s half century this year. It is fitting that the first ever winners of the trophy, Aston Villa, have once again reached the final. Sunday 28th February will see them walk out at Wembley to face the holders and reigning Premier League champions Manchester United. Live Carling Cup football has always produced exciting action and if this years final produces anywhere near the action and drama that this season competition has so far, it will be a match not to miss.

Both clubs entered the competition in the third round and made hard work of their initial ties but the excitement built until two dramatic and goal-filled semi-finals decided the two finalists.

Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa side faced Cardiff City at Villa Park in their first tie of their Carling Cup campaign and an early Gabi Agbonlahor goal was all that separated the two sides. Their next tie at the Stadium of Light was equally as close and after a goalless ninety minutes, mainly thanks to Brad Guzan who saved a Kenwyne Jones penalty, extra time also failed to separate the two teams. Guzan once again was the hero and Villa went through 3-1 on penalties.

Villa’s reward was a trip to Portsmouth in Carling Cup round 5. A Petrov own goal was cancelled out by Emile Heskey and strikes from James Milner and Stewart Downing sent Villa clear. Kanu pulled a late one back for Pompey but Ashley Young settled the nerves with a fourth. James Milner was also on the score sheet as Villa triumphed by a single goal in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi final against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. The return leg at Villa Park was a classic and Villa eventually ran out 6-4 winners on the night to book their place at Wembley.

A Danny Welbeck goal was enough to see a 10-man United side through against Wolves in Carling Cup round 3. Welbeck was also on the score sheet in round 4 at Barnsley alongside Michael Owen as United again managed to finish the match a player down but with a 2-0 victory. Darron Gibson bagged a brace in the most challenging match so far at home to Spurs. However, awaiting United in the Carling Cup semi-final were no lesser opponents that local neighbours and big-spenders Manchester City.

The first leg at Eastlands saw Red Devil legend Ryan Giggs give United the lead. But almost written into the script was former United forward Carlos Tevez and his double either side of half time gave City the edge. The return at Old Trafford produced just as much excitement with Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick putting United ahead overall only for Tevez yet again to pull City back into it. As the match headed for extra time, Wayne Rooney popped up in injury time to break City hearts and send Manchester United through to the Carling Cup Final.

Villa, under Martin O’Neill, have flattered to deceive in recent years but will see victory in the Carling Cup final as an opportunity to grab a piece of the glory, and some silverware to boot, for themselves whilst also securing a Europa League berth for next season. That out of the way, they can concentrate on their real aim – a Champions League spot.

United have frequently been accused of not taking the Carling Cup seriously, fielding ‘weakened’ teams. What most people fail to recognise is that an under-strength Manchester United team can still compete with most other teams in the Premier League. Their victory in 2009 was, amazingly, only their 3rd in the competitions history. Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking to make that four and the team he picks for the Carling Cup Final on Sunday 28th February will be one he believes can win.

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