Source: Daily_Mail
CARLING CUP FINAL LIVE: Manchester United 2 Aston Villa 1 - all the action as it happened
Good afternoon and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of the Carling Cup Final where holders Manchester United face a difficult task to retain their trophy against Martin O'Neill's in-form Aston Villa in the first showpiece game of the season.[LNB] 17.05: And that concludes our coverage of today's fantastic Final. Wayne Rooney wins it for United. Now can they do the treble? We shall see... Good evening![LNB]17.02: Patrice Evra leads United up the Wembley steps as United march in triumph to toasting the trophy to their fans. Once again the Carling Cup belongs to Sir Alex Ferguson and Man United. Incredibly, that's Fergie's 32nd major trophy success.[LNB]16.57: Wayne Rooney revels in United's fourth League Cup victory, saying: 'It was great to come on and get the match-winner.' Meanwhile, Michael Owen says he was disappointed to come off injured but delighted to help his club win the cup. And an England call-up? 'I don't think about it,' he says. 'I just want to play well for United.'[LNB] Victory parade: Manchester United toast the club's fourth League Cup win after beating Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley[LNB]16.55: FULL-TIME - MANCHESTER UNITED WIN THE CARLING CUP! Wayne Rooney rises again, stepping off the bench to help United retain the cup. Villa will rue Phil Dowd's decision not to send off Nemanja Vidic in the build-up to James Milner's opener. And it was bitter sweet for Michael Owen who scored the all-important equaliser before limping off injured. His replacement, however, finished off the job.[LNB]An excellent Final and a shame to see a loser. Villa deserved better but found United in supreme form in the second half. Berbatov was brilliant but Valencia is awarded the man of the match prize.[LNB]16.53: Last chance saloon for Villa who go route one to the far side of the field in the fourth - and final minute of injury time. Milner's deep throw in his skittled to the outskirts of the United box. Petrov finds Agbonlahor in mid-air but the striker heads wide. That's it...[LNB]16.52: Almost 3-1. Villa have both big guns Collins and Dunne forward searching for the equaliser but Valencia nearly compounds Villa's misery, striking into the side-netting with United four on two in attack.[LNB]16.50: FULL-TIME... at Anfield and at the Stadium of Light (you thought, I was going to say Wembley then, didn't you?!). Liverpool celebrate a 2-1 win while Sunderland share the spoils with Fulham, 0-0.[LNB] Close shave: United are let off the hook late-on as Dunne glances his header wide[LNB]16.49: You can feel Martin O'Neill's angst on the touchline after Downing's delightful teed-up cross evades the United defence but slides off the top of Dunne's head and out for a goal-kick. Desperately unlucky.[LNB]16.46: And that's the South Korea midfielder's final contribution, making way for Darron Gibson with just five minutes to play.[LNB]16.44: Park holds the ball up in the corner, enticing Dunne and Miner in before playing in Evra. The left-back's dribble into the box is comprehensively cut-out by Collins.[LNB]16.42: Kuszczak pulls off a stupendous save to divert a Collins header onto the crossbar. Villa fans claim handball from the follow-up corner, not given, to which the United faithful tease their rivals greeting every touch with cries of 'handball!' [LNB]16.40: Ten minutes to play and Martin O'Neill gambles with a reshuffle across the pitch with John Carew replacing Carlos Cuellar. They're throwing everything at this.[LNB]16.38: Valencia delivers another inch-perfect ball to Rooney watches another header crash agonisingly off the post. A major let-off for Villa. It was almost curtains.[LNB] Headmaster: Super-sub Rooney rises to nod home his ninth header of the season[LNB]16.34: GOAL! And it's the headmaster Rooney who gives United the lead. Berbatov helps continue Valencia's incisive run inside the box with a sublime heel-flick and the winger lands the ball on Rooney's head which loops beyond Freidel. His ninth headed goal of the season. 2-1.[LNB]16.33: Great block from Collins as Carrick fires one from 25-yards out. The clearance sets Villa on a breakaway, ending with Young appealing in vain for a second spot-kick. Dowd rightly waves play on, fine tackle from Neville.[LNB]16.30: A Villa corner is headed across the United area by Carrick landing on the bounce for Young. But the winger hits his half-volley into the deck and over the bar. A golden opportunity.[LNB]16.28: A petulant kick on Agbonlahor earns Vdic a yellow card, a hour after he should have seen red for his challenge on the same player. Young's resulting delivery is cooly claimed by Kuszczak.[LNB]Looking on: O'Neill and Ferguson prowl on touchline[LNB]16.26: Neville does come on as expected for Rafael and United's corner is cleared. Villa skipper Petrov goes down in pain after Park's thunderous drive slams into his back. And Berbatov is sprayed with deep heat on his thigh. Diouf on standby. [LNB]16.25: Rafael limps back on the field but surely only a matter of time before he is replaced. United enjoying the lions share of possession and win a corner from the head of Cuellar.[LNB]16.23: Rafael is getting treatment after an overstretched tackle on Downing. Looks like cramp, although on second viewing the full-back clattered his leg into the field. The ever-experienced right-back Gary Neville looks set to replace him. [LNB]16.18: Earlier I asked you to email me your comments on today's Final, to a staggering response so far, all in agreement that we are being treated to pulsating tie.[LNB]Alan from London says: 'I can't remember a major final where the first 25 minutes have seen so much space. Great viewing.' Indeed, Alan and thanks for your thoughts. [LNB]Meanwhile, Villa fans warm up with a rendition of their infectious John Carew chant ('He's bigger than me and you'), as the big Norway international waits on the sideline. [LNB]16.15: Ashley Young opens his legs on the right but his pace triggers a stuttering cross into Vidic. The winger retrieves the ball and flights the ball towards the far post which Downing works inside to Milner before Petrov sizzles his shot off course.[LNB]16.12: Berbatov again at the heart of United's latest advance on goal. The Bulgarian does well to trap a high ball on his chest into the path of strike-partner Rooney. but Dunne expertly thwarts the England ace to toe-poke the ball clear inside the area.[LNB]16.10: Friedel denies Carrick with a wonderful save low-down after a classic United interchange between Park, Berbatov and the England midfielder, whose sublime turn to wrong-foot Cuellar is unlucky to find the American at his imperious best.[LNB]16.07: A speculative attempt on goal from Rooney a mere 70 seconds after the restart. The ball sits up nicely for the striker but he shanks it well-wide. A warning sign...[LNB]16.05: And the action is underway again at Wembley as Rooney and Berbatov lead the restart. [LNB]16.00: So, elsewhere, Liverpool are 2-1 in front against Blackburn at Anfield while it's deadlocked at the Stadium of Light at half-time with Sunderland held by Fulham, 0-0.[LNB] Two good: Fernando Torres squeezes home Liverpool's second at Anfield[LNB]15.51: HALF-TIME 1-1 at Wembley after an exhilarating opening 45 minutes. James Milner gave Villa a dream start with an early opener from the spot, with Vidic not to be sent off. But Michael Owen levelled terms with a fine finish for the equaliser minutes later, before hobbling off injured. A deserved interval for both sides in what is shaping up to be a thrilling 50th League Cup Final contest.[LNB]15.50: Berabtov and Warncok are briefly floored after a collision but both manage to return to their feet as four minutes of added time come to a close.[LNB]15.49: Park dramatically hits the inside of the post in stoppage time and Milner brilliantly denies a follow up with a last-ditch challenge to help Villa scramble away.[LNB]15.47: Berbatov looks inspired today, expertly intercepting Collins from 30-yards but his searching shot is easily gathered by Friedel.[LNB]15.46: Ashley Young looks to win a free-kick in a testing area outside the United box but Dowd waves play on after the winger clips his heels off Vidic.[LNB]15.43: GOAL! Liverpool swiftly back in front at Anfield on the stroke of half-time after Fernando Torres latches onto Maxi Rodriguez square pass to celebrate his 13th of the season.[LNB]Look Roo's here: Rooney replaces injured Owen[LNB]15.42: A great shame for Michael Owen who is withdrawn five minutes before the interval with a hamstring problem. The striker certainly leaves his mark on this Final and Wayne Rooney comes onto replace him.[LNB]15.41: Ironic cheers from the Villa fans as Dowd books Evra for another foul on Young.[LNB]15.40: GOAL! And it's 1-1 at Anfield. Blackburn peg back the hosts from the spot through Keith Andrews after Jamie Carragher is penalised for handball.[LNB]15.38: Villa fans rightly aggrieved with Dowd again, after the referee ignores a blatant trip to dispossess Ashley Young inside the United half.[LNB]15.37: An excellent recovery tackle from Stephen Warnock breaks down Antonio Valencia's breakaway run on the right. Indeed, Capello will take note with pleasure as the left-back impresses on his audition to start against Egypt.[LNB]15.34: Neither side really on top yet, although United are looking increasingly menacing. Dimitar Berbatov appears to have found a new lease of life in attack alongside Owen, forcing every issue along the Villa backline. Particularly impressive.[LNB]15.32: Carlos Cueller somehow goes unpunished for an ugly studs-in tackle on Evra. Dowd, perhaps trying to maintain some order by keeping his cards close to his pocket but on a weekend of horrendous leg-breaking tackles, the Spaniard is very fortunate.[LNB]15.30: Villa put the pressure on United's goal again, this time Milner is guilty of wasting a chance outside the box with his wayward shot never troubling. No let-up here. Fantastic start to this encounter.[LNB]15.28: Emile Heskey tests Kuszczak with a decent snap-shot on the turn. The striker showed his power to hold the ball up before his effort deflected kindly into the Pole's palms from the faintest of deflections from Nemanja Vidic. [LNB]15:27: Phil Dowd is not endearing himself to the Villa faithful by any means.This time he pulls back Rafael to give him a ticking off for an untimely challenge. But the Brazilian full-back joins Carrick in escaping punishment. [LNB]15.23: GOAL! Liverpool go 1-0 up at Anfield against Blackburn after Reds captain Steven Gerrard slots Yossi Benayoun's ball past Paul Robinson.[LNB]15.20: A near-on identical tackle from carrick crashes Heskey to the ground but the midfielder goes unpunished. Villa fans up in arms at Dowd with loud protests of 'You're not fit to referee'. Given, Downing's booking, Carrick is certainly lucky to get off the hook there. Kuszczak calmly collects Young's eventual free-kick.[LNB]15.18: Downing earns a yellow card for a clumsy challenge to upend United skipper Patrice Evra but Carrick's woeful set-piece is cleared.[LNB]15.16: Milner forces a fine save from Kuszczak and United scramble the ball away after Agbonlahor's failed follow-up.[LNB]15.15: End-to-end stuff so far. Such an open contest. Both sides zipping the ball across this wet playing surface, which to be fair has exposed two top defenders already. First, for Villa's opener, Vidic failed to keep up with the speed of Agbonlahor before Dunne lost his footing in a battle with Berbatov, leading to Owen's equaliser.[LNB] Honours even: Owen fires United back onto level terms with a wonderful finish[LNB]15.13: GOAL! 1-1! Wayne who? Michael Owen shows Fabio Capello why he should be on the plane to South Africa this summer with a magnificent finish beyond Friedel to get United back on level terms, all thanks to Berbatov's powerful infield run. That's his second goal in as many games. Incredible start to this Final.[LNB]PREMIER LEAGUE LIVELiverpool 2 Blackburn 1 FT[LNB]Sunderland 0 Fulham 0 FT[LNB]Tottenham 2 Everton 1 FT[LNB]15.11: James Collins is the first player into Dowd's book today, after the centre-half halts Michael Owen's dazzling run on goal with a reckless slide challenge. Carrick's poor free-kick on the left-side outside the box is ushered to safety.[LNB]15.10: Ashley Young does well to get past Rafael but his dangerous low cross is cleared by Evans.[LNB] 15.08: Sir Alex Ferguson sits stunned in the dugout as he assesses the damage of that early goal. Will the decision to rest Rooney backfire on him? Too early to tell, perhaps, but Villa have started the better of the sides and are growing in confidence.[LNB]15.05: GOAL! 1-0 - Milner emphatically strikes the ball into the bottom right corner, sending Kuszczak the wrong way and Villa fans into raptures. What a start![LNB] Heroes and Villans: James Milner gets Villa off to the perfect start, converting his penalty after Gabby Agbonlahor is brought down by defender Nemanja Vidic inside[LNB] [LNB] 15:04: PENALTY! Gabby Agbonlahor wins a spot-kick inside three-and-half minutes. The striker outpaces Nemanja Vidic from Ashley Young's knock-on but the Serbian brings him down inside the box . Amazingly Phil Dowd does not send Vidic off, or caution him, despite being the last man. Can James Milner get Villa off to the perfect start?[LNB]15:02: United clear and send Michael Owen chasing after the ball. Owen, the forgotten England man, playing in his first Final at the new Wembley today.[LNB]15:01: We're underway with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey getting us underway. Villa win an early free-kick to which Young forces a corner inside the opening minute. [LNB]15:00: Here we go, Villa in their change strip of white shirts, navy shorts and white socks set to battle with United, playing in their traditional red home kit.[LNB] Showing their colours: United fans continue their protest against the Glazer family[LNB] [LNB]14.57: A sea of claret & blue flags clash against the backdrop of red (and, controversially, gold & green) waving scarves as the fans conjure an electrifying envelope of noise before we are greeted to a noble rendition of God Save The Queen.[LNB]14.52: Fabio Capello is spotted in the Royal Box as he awaits the opportunity to cast an eye over several members of his England squad for Wednesday's friendly at Wembley against Egypt. [LNB]14.50: The teams stand side-by-side in the tunnel as Martin O'Neill and Sir Alex Ferguson prepare to lead their teams out. Wonderful atmosphere at Wembley.[LNB] Hero time: Private Dave Tatlock leads the trophy onto the hallowed Wembley turf[LNB]TODAY'S TEAMSMan Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Park, Owen, Berbatov. Subs: Foster, Neville, Brown, Rooney, Scholes, Gibson, Diouf.[LNB]Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Ashley Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Luke Young, Sidwell, Carew, Delfouneso, Delph, Beye.[LNB]Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire) [LNB]14.45: Indeed, a proud sight already at Wembley before a ball has even been kicked. Private Dave Tatlock, who was told he would never walk again after being seriously injured on service in Afghanistan, leads the Cup onto the pitch unaided. Truly remarkable. Fitting, on a day where heroes are needed.[LNB]14.40: United, meanwhile, maketheir seventh visit to Wembley Way since it reopened three years agoand Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping to see his side record their firstvictory in open play at the new stadium.[LNB]It took Ben Foster and his iPod heroics to help them beat Spurs on spot-kicks last season but Tomasz Kuszczak is the man between the posts for the holders today.[LNB]Can they win for the fourth time in the history of this competition? Stay with us for all the action as it happens AND for the goal flashes from this afternoon's two Premier League games at Anfield and the Stadium of Light as Liverpool host Blackburn and Sunderland entertain Fulham.[LNB] Up for the cup: The miserable wet weather fails to dampen the fans spirits[LNB]14.30: So Villa are lookingto end a 14-year trophy and O'Neill's men will take a lot of heartahead of kick-off (3pm) that they are unbeaten against the championsthis season, in their first visit to the new Wembley.[LNB]A 1-0 win in December ended a 25-year wait without a win at OldTrafford and they managed to hold United 1-1 at Villa Park earlier thismonth.[LNB]Winners of the Villa inaugural League Cup final in 1961 they returnfor the 50th aiming to add to their haul of five wins - their last, ofcourse, in 1996 against Leeds United.[LNB]HAVE YOUR SAYFollow all the minute-by-minute actions as it happens at Wembley and email your thoughts and reaction to: matt.lawless@dailymail.co.uk [LNB]14.15: And before a ball iskicked, it's advantage Villa with Wayne Rooney dropped to the bench byUnited boss Sir Alex Ferguson with Dimitar Berbatov chosen to lead theline alongside Michael Owen.[LNB]Both strikers certainly have a point to prove although their task will be made no easier against Brad Friedel today, who has been selected ahead of No 2 Brad Guzan, despite O'Neill's promise that the American understudy would play, having started in every other round.[LNB]Full team news to follow for what promises to be an absolute belter of a cup tie at rain-soaked Wembley.[LNB] Frozen out: Wayne Rooney will be on the bench at Wembley today against Villa[LNB] Villa boss O'Neill rules out succeeding Sir Alex at Manchester UnitedEngland hope and glory: O'Neill and Sir Alex Ferguson can serve up treatLeague Cup glory put Wayne Rooney on the road to greatnessMANCHESTER UNITED FC
