Sunday 28th February 2010 at 15:00 GMT
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 ran out 6-4 winners in semi-final against Blackburn, 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. The first leg at Eastlands finished 2-1 to the hosts. 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.The holders were going to Wembley to defend their cup.
Absences
Aston Villa: Nigel Reo-Coker, Stiliyan Petrov (doubt)
Manchester United: Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, John O’Shea, Owen Hargreaves, Nani (Suspension)
