Aston Villa 1 - 2 Man Utd

Wayne Rooney started on the bench but finished as the hero

Rooney started on the bench but finished as the game's match-winner

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Wembley

Wayne Rooney started the Carling Cup final on the bench - but emerged to make the decisive contribution with a late winner as Manchester United beat Aston Villa at Wembley.

Rooney entered the action just before half-time to replace the injured Michael Owen and enabled Sir Alex Ferguson's side to come from behind and retain the trophy.

Aston Villa's Wembley showpiece started perfectly when James Milner put them ahead from the spot after five minutes following Nemanja Vidic's foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Villa clearly felt referee Phil Dowd should have sent Vidic off after he hauled down Agbonlahor as he closed in on goal - and their burning sense of injustice was fuelled even further when United quickly restored equality.

Richard Dunne lost possession to Dimitar Berbatov, and when he attempted to repair his error he could only find Owen, who slipped a perfect finish past Villa keeper Brad Friedel.

Owen looked sharp in front of watching England coach Fabio Capello, but his lingering hopes of persuading the Italian to include him in his World Cup plans for South Africa may have ended when he pulled up as he ran into the area and was forced to leave the action.

606: DEBATE

If only Aston Villa had come out with a more positive attitude towards winning the match, it may have been a different outcome.

Goonattack

It was hardly good news for Villa as it allowed Rooney to come on, with the striker clearly desperate to make an impact after starting on the bench.

Ji-Sung Park hit the post for United before Rooney rose to head the outstanding Antonio Valencia's cross past Friedel with 16 minutes left.

Rooney almost extended United's victory margin when he hit the woodwork with another header, but his amazing season continued as his 28th goal of the campaign gave Ferguson another piece of silverware.

Vidic was fortunate to see Emile Heskey's cross deflect off him on to the bar late on, but by that stage United were firmly in control and well on the way to victory.

It was a bitter disappointment for Villa, who started so promisingly, but they tired as the game wore on at Wembley and United ultimately deserved their triumph.

Ferguson decided to rest Rooney, who has been in devastating form, from his starting line-up and give Owen his opportunity in a Wembley final that was to drag the England striker from one end of the emotional scale to the other.

Villa's ploy was always going to be to test United with pace and power up front - and it was rewarded with the early goal boss Martin O'Neill must have craved.

Agbonlahor was too quick for Vidic and the United defender had already tugged at his shirt before hauling him down. Reeferee Dowd did not punish Vidic further, despite the fact that he was the last United defender and flirted with a red card, and Milner steered the penalty coolly past Tomasz Kuszczak.

Villa's lead only lasted seven minutes, and it was an error from the normally reliable Dunne that led to United's swift equaliser.

Dunne lost possession to Berbatov, and even though he recovered he could only divert the ball into the path of Owen, who steered an expert precision finish low past Friedel.

The game was remarkably open, with Milner a prominent figure, and he brought a fine diving save from Kusczcak with a 20-yard effort.

Owen had looked sharp, but his injury curse struck again as half-time approached when he pulled up sharply as he raced for possession with Dunne in the area. It was clear immediately that his game was over and he walked away disconsolately to be replaced by Rooney.

James Milner gave Villa the perfect start to the game

Milner put Villa in front after less than five minutes of the game

United almost ended an enthralling first 45 minutes in the lead when Park struck a post after James Collins could only partially clear Antonio Valencia's cross.

And United posed the first danger after the break when Friedel saved well from Michael Carrick, whose shooting had been very erratic up to that point.

The second half was much more of a cat-and-mouse affair, but predictably it was Rooney who gave United the advantage when he struck with 16 minutes left.

Berbatov cleverly played in Valencia, whose cross left Rooney with work to do, but not only did he win the aerial battle with the taller Collins, he sent a towering header high beyond Friedel into the top corner.

And he almost repeated the feat three minutes later when Valencia was once more the provider, but he sent a more powerful header against the post.

Villa responded by introducing the giant figure of John Carew for Carlos Cuellar - and his presence almost forced Vidic into an error that resulted in an equaliser.

Stewart Downing's cross caused confusion, and Vidic was lucky to see Emile Heskey's header bounce off his shoulder on to the bar.

United had one last anxious moment when another Downing cross was just out of Dunne's reach at the back post, but Ferguson's side held out for a deserved victory.

Live text and stats

Sunday, 28 February 2010

Carling Cup

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Aston Villa	1-2	Man Utd	R
(HT 1-1)
Milner (pen) 5		Owen 12 Rooney 74

Aston Villa

01 Friedel
05 Dunne
24 Cuellar (Carew 80)
25 Warnock
29 Collins yellow card
06 Downing yellow card
07 A Young
08 Milner
19 Petrov
11 Agbonlahor
18 Heskey

Ref: DowdAtt: 88,596

ASTON VILLA

MAN UTD

Possession

Aston Villa 50%
Man Utd 50%

Attempts on target

Aston Villa 3
Man Utd 9

Attempts off target

Aston Villa 7
Man Utd 9

Corners

Aston Villa 4
Man Utd 5

Fouls

Aston Villa 10
Man Utd 11

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+4:02 The match has reached full-time.
90:00+3:23 Centre by Ashley Young, Headed effort from inside the area by Gabriel Agbonlahor misses to the right of the target.
90:00+2:14 The referee blows for offside. Tomasz Kuszczak restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+1:52 The assistant referee signals for offside against Dimitar Berbatov. Brad Friedel takes the free kick.
Correction - 90:00+1:29 John Carew is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Jonathan Evans takes the direct free kick.
90:00+1:29 The referee gives a free kick against John Carew for handball. Jonathan Evans restarts play with the free kick.
90:00+0:55 Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Antonio Valencia goes wide of the right-hand upright.
88:38 The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, Header by Richard Dunne from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.
88:28 Centre by James Milner.
87:47 Corner taken by Wayne Rooney, clearance made by Richard Dunne.
87:00 The ball is delivered by Stewart Downing, Michael Carrick makes a clearance.
86:41 The offside flag is raised against Antonio Valencia. Brad Friedel takes the indirect free kick.
86:18 Antonio Valencia fouled by Stiliyan Petrov, the ref awards a free kick. Gary Neville restarts play with the free kick.
84:19 Substitution (Man Utd) makes a substitution, with Darron Gibson coming on for Ji-Sung Park.
84:19 Effort on goal by Dimitar Berbatov from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
83:52 Patrice Evra sends in a cross, save made by Brad Friedel.
83:24 Wayne Rooney produces a cross, clearance by Stephen Warnock.
82:18 Stewart Downing takes the inswinging corner, Foul by Richard Dunne on Dimitar Berbatov, free kick awarded. Tomasz Kuszczak restarts play with the free kick.
81:02 The ball is sent over by Stewart Downing, Emile Heskey takes a shot. Save made by Tomasz Kuszczak. Corner taken by Ashley Young from the left by-line.
80:10 Antonio Valencia is penalised for a handball. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Warnock.
79:29 Substitution (Aston Villa) makes a substitution, with John Carew coming on for Carlos Cuellar.
79:13 A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, clearance by Nemanja Vidic.
78:29 The ball is crossed by Darren Fletcher, save by Brad Friedel.
77:27 Antonio Valencia delivers the ball, Wayne Rooney produces a header from the edge of the box and strikes the post.
76:55 The ball is sent over by James Milner, Nemanja Vidic manages to make a clearance.
75:45 The ball is sent over by Carlos Cuellar.
75:22 Antonio Valencia sends in a cross, save by Brad Friedel.
74:50 Stewart Downing crosses the ball.
73:23 Assist on the goal came from Antonio Valencia.
73:23 GOAL - Wayne Rooney:Aston Villa 1 - 2 Man Utd Wayne Rooney finds the back of the net with a headed goal from just inside the penalty area. Aston Villa 1-2 Man Utd.
73:20 Antonio Valencia crosses the ball,
72:27 James Milner produces a cross.
72:09 Shot from 25 yards from Michael Carrick. James Collins gets a block in.
71:30 Patrice Evra fouled by Stiliyan Petrov, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Ji-Sung Park.
71:19 The ball is delivered by Carlos Cuellar, Jonathan Evans gets a block in.
69:31 Ashley Young produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
69:21 Corner taken by Stewart Downing from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Dimitar Berbatov.
69:03 Stewart Downing produces a cross, clearance made by Patrice Evra.
68:40 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Richard Dunne by Antonio Valencia. Richard Dunne takes the direct free kick.
67:44 The free kick is swung in right-footed by Ashley Young, save by Tomasz Kuszczak.
67:44 Booking Nemanja Vidic is cautioned.
67:38 Nemanja Vidic challenges Gabriel Agbonlahor unfairly and gives away a free kick.
65:14 Short corner taken by Antonio Valencia from the left by-line. Shot from 25 yards from Ji-Sung Park. Stiliyan Petrov gets a block in.
65:14 Substitution (Man Utd) makes a substitution, with Gary Neville coming on for Rafael Da Silva.
65:00 Antonio Valencia delivers the ball, clearance made by Carlos Cuellar.
64:30 Dimitar Berbatov crosses the ball, clearance by James Collins.
63:46 Centre by Stewart Downing.
61:17 Wayne Rooney takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
61:11 Antonio Valencia produces a cross.
60:15 Patrice Evra produces a cross, Brad Friedel makes a save.
58:57 The ball is sent over by Stewart Downing.
58:07 Centre by Antonio Valencia, James Collins makes a clearance.
55:50 Stiliyan Petrov has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the target.
55:36 Stewart Downing delivers the ball, Tomasz Kuszczak makes a save.
55:27 A cross is delivered by Ashley Young, clearance made by Ji-Sung Park. The ball is delivered by Ashley Young.
51:07 The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, clearance by Nemanja Vidic.
49:55 Gabriel Agbonlahor produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.
49:39 A cross is delivered by Wayne Rooney, clearance made by James Collins.
48:42 Shot by Michael Carrick from 18 yards. Save made by Brad Friedel. Corner taken by Antonio Valencia, clearance made by James Collins.
47:40 Stewart Downing crosses the ball, save made by Tomasz Kuszczak.
46:08 Wayne Rooney has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the target.
45:01 The referee starts the second half.
Half Time
45:00+4:20 The referee calls an end to the first half.
Correction - 45:00+4:01 The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Tomasz Kuszczak.
45:00+4:01 Ashley Young is caught offside. Rafael Da Silva takes the free kick.
Correction - 45:00+2:06 Ji-Sung Park has an effort at goal from the edge of the area hitting the post. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Milner by Ji-Sung Park. Brad Friedel restarts play with the free kick.
45:00+2:06 Ji-Sung Park takes a shot from a just insdie the penalty area and hits the post. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Milner by Ji-Sung Park. Direct free kick taken by Brad Friedel.
45:00+1:18 Michael Carrick fouled by Stiliyan Petrov, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Michael Carrick.
45:00+0:43 Dimitar Berbatov has an effort at goal from 20 yards. Brad Friedel makes a save.
43:55 Foul by Emile Heskey on Nemanja Vidic, free kick awarded. Tomasz Kuszczak takes the free kick.
43:10 The assistant referee signals for offside against Emile Heskey. Tomasz Kuszczak takes the free kick.
41:13 Substitution Michael Owen goes off and Wayne Rooney comes on.
41:00 Ashley Young produces a cross.
40:11 Free kick taken by James Collins.
40:11 Booking Patrice Evra is shown a yellow card.
40:03 Patrice Evra concedes a free kick for a foul on Ashley Young.
39:50 Free kick awarded for a foul by Darren Fletcher on Stewart Downing. Free kick taken by Stiliyan Petrov.
39:29 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Antonio Valencia, Richard Dunne manages to make a clearance.
38:35 Foul by Emile Heskey on Jonathan Evans, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Tomasz Kuszczak.
35:29 The ball is swung over by Rafael Da Silva, save by Brad Friedel.
33:37 Centre by Darren Fletcher.
32:54 The ball is sent over by Ji-Sung Park, James Collins manages to make a clearance.
32:40 Michael Carrick takes a shot. Blocked by Stiliyan Petrov.
32:20 Short corner taken by Antonio Valencia from the right by-line.
31:22 Carlos Cuellar concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrice Evra. Michael Carrick takes the free kick.
30:29 Emile Heskey challenges Michael Carrick unfairly and gives away a free kick. Michael Carrick restarts play with the free kick.
29:57 Shot by Dimitar Berbatov. Brad Friedel makes a save.
29:12 The assistant referee signals for offside against Dimitar Berbatov. James Collins takes the free kick.
28:26 Michael Carrick has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.
27:54 Gabriel Agbonlahor crosses the ball, Michael Carrick manages to make a clearance.
26:55 Shot from just outside the penalty box by James Milner misses to the left of the target.
26:49 A cross is delivered by Ashley Young.
26:42 Carlos Cuellar sends in a cross.
25:07 Unfair challenge on Emile Heskey by Rafael Da Silva results in a free kick. Ashley Young restarts play with the free kick. Effort on goal by Emile Heskey from 18 yards. Save by Tomasz Kuszczak.
24:28 Free kick awarded for a foul by Rafael Da Silva on Ashley Young. Free kick taken by Brad Friedel.
24:17 Effort on goal by Ji-Sung Park from 18 yards. Stiliyan Petrov gets a block in.
22:33 The assistant referee signals for offside against Dimitar Berbatov. James Collins takes the indirect free kick.
21:12 A cross is delivered by Antonio Valencia, clearance made by Richard Dunne.
19:54 Ji-Sung Park has an effort at goal from the edge of the area that misses to the right of the target.
18:36 Unfair challenge on Emile Heskey by Michael Carrick results in a free kick. Ashley Young takes the free kick.
17:14 The free kick is delivered right-footed by Michael Carrick from left wing, clearance by Stephen Warnock.
17:14 Booking The referee shows Stewart Downing a yellow card.
17:04 Free kick awarded for a foul by Stewart Downing on Patrice Evra.
15:10 Shot by James Milner. Save by Tomasz Kuszczak. Gabriel Agbonlahor has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
13:45 The ball is delivered by Gabriel Agbonlahor, Michael Carrick makes a clearance.
11:59 GOAL - Michael Owen:Aston Villa 1 - 1 Man Utd Goal scored by Michael Owen from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd.
10:05 Michael Carrick takes the direct free kick.
10:05 Booking James Collins goes into the referee's book.
9:55 Unfair challenge on Michael Owen by James Collins results in a free kick.
9:17 Ashley Young produces a cross, clearance made by Jonathan Evans.
8:02 Antonio Valencia gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stewart Downing. Richard Dunne takes the direct free kick.
6:47 The offside flag is raised against Stewart Downing. Free kick taken by Tomasz Kuszczak.
5:58 Effort from just outside the box by Michael Carrick goes over the bar.
4:21 Assist on the goal came from Gabriel Agbonlahor.
4:21 GOAL - James Milner:Aston Villa 1 - 0 Man Utd Power penalty scored by James Milner. Aston Villa 1-0 Man Utd.
3:25 Nemanja Vidic challenges Gabriel Agbonlahor unfairly and gives away a Penalty.
2:50 The ball is sent over by Ji-Sung Park, clearance made by Richard Dunne.
0:46 Ashley Young decides to take a short corner. James Milner delivers the ball, clearance made by Antonio Valencia.
0:11 Foul by Nemanja Vidic on Emile Heskey, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ashley Young, clearance made by Patrice Evra.
0:00 The match gets underway.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

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