Aston Villa v United: Key battles

26 February 2010 14:12
Manchester United and Aston Villa go head to head in the Carling Cup final on Sunday with the domestic season's first major piece of silverware up for grabs at Wembley. The clash is a repeat of the 1994 League Cup final which saw Villa come out 3-1 winners at the old Wembley. Holders United will be without Rio Ferdinand for the showdown due to a recurring back injury, as well as Anderson, who was ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate knee ligament. Villa, on the other hand, have a clean bill of health having come through Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round replay win over Crystal Palace unscathed. If recent form is anything to go by this should be an extremely tight affair. United have won six out of their last eight matches in all competitions while Villa are unbeaten in twelve. Amid those runs was a 1-1 draw between the two sides in the Premier League meeting earlier this month. Here is a look at the key battles that could determine the outcome of the game:[LNB] Nemanja Vidic vs Gabriel Agbonlahor With Rio Ferdinand missing there will be increased responsibility on the Serbian defender to marshall the speedy forward. Agbonlahor was the match winner when the sides met in the Premier League at Old Trafford back in December and Vidic, who played that day, will need to be on his game. Unlike Ferdinand, Vidic and his most likely central defensive partner Jonny Evans, are not blessed with pace and you can bet that Agbonlahor will be aiming to exploit that ome Sunday. [LNB] Darren Fletcher vs Stiliyan Petrov This duo's battling midfield qualities will come to the fore on Sunday. Both players act as the linchpin in their respective sides and the outcome of the game could hinge on this individual battle. United and Villa have attacking options in abundance and it will be up to Fletcher and Petrov to give their teammates the licence to push forward. The player who can do this most effectively may swing the result in their team's favour.[LNB] Wayne Rooney vs Richard Dunne Rooney has given Dunne a torrid time in many Manchester derbies and in his current form, United's runaway top goalscorer will fancy his chances against the Irishman. Rooney's brace against West Ham took his season's goal tally to 27 and made it 19 goals in his last 19 games. And while Dunne will certainly have to be on the top of his game to keep out the free scoring forward, he will be relishing the challenge as a key member of the Premier League's best defence.[LNB] Where do you think the game will be won and lost? Have your say. [LNB]

Source: Manchester_EveningNews