Villa Deprive Midlands Rivals of Trip to Wembley
Another Tuesday night under the lights at Villa Park put Aston Villa on track for a fifth trip to Wembley in five years for the Carabou Cup Final.
The semi-final second leg against Leicester began 1-1 on aggregate, meaning both teams were up for it with everything still to play for.
The first leg at the King Power Stadium saw Villa take the lead with a smooth tap-in from wing back Guilbert, whilst Leicester dominated possession throughout and bagged a late equaliser through Iheanacho.
Villa Park was positively rocking with yet another trip to Wembley potentially only 90 minutes away, and as newly signed striker Mbwana Samatta made the starting lineup, the home side were set to cause an upset as the underdogs.
Sitting comfortably at third place in the Premier League, Leicester could have perhaps entered the second leg quietly confident, but with Vardy on the bench, they were missing their main man. The Foxes enjoyed around 70% possession throughout the game, particularly dominating play in the first half with good chances from Maddison and Tielemans.
Yet it was a clever flick in the box from Jack Grealish to Matt Targett in the 12th minute that broke the deadlock, as the wing back landed a neat cross in the back of the net. Once again it was Grealish who seemed to orchestrate the entire passage of play, pulling out the players around him and to make things happen.
Ørjan Nyland undoubtedly earnt the man of the match title within the first 45, making at least three incredible saves to keep Villa in the game. At the break, Leicester would have felt hard done by to be trailing a goal behind, particularly after a call for a handball by Marvellous Nakamba was overruled at the notorious hand of VAR.
The second half began with the same roaring spirit as the first, with both teams and their fans set on a trip to London on the 1st March. Villa enjoyed some more of the ball and opted to try and catch Leicester on the counter attack, but to no avail.
Rodgers resorted to plan B, putting Vardy on the pitch in the hopes to change the game. However, it was not the league's top scorer who put the East Midlands side back in it, but the return of Kelechi Iheanacho. His quick strike made things level once again, and with only 15 minutes of the 90 left, one team had to take action.
On came the Egyptian duo, Trezeguet and Elmohamady, to add some fresh legs to the field. The board signalled four added minutes and the crowd offered a last minute injection of support for both sides. At this point, it looked as though either team could have bagged a winner, but it was a tough one to call.
The 93rd minute struck, and a swooping cross from Elmohamady landed at the feet of Trezeguet, who struck for the far post and beat Schmeichel to it. Villa fans across the park erupted, whilst Söyüncü and his fellow back line dropped to their knees in defeat. The Foxes fans were silenced again and the Villa boys from Aston bathed in the sea of limbs that flailed from the stands.
Well over time, the away side gave one last push via a nervy Maddison free kick, which is once again unsuccessful and sums up a very frustrating game for Leicester's number 10.
The final whistle summoned thousands of overwhelmed Villa fans to pour on to the pitch, much to the frustration of the stewards and security staff. Nothing could stop the supporters as they surrounded their heroes of the night. Mings and Trezeguet were lifted and chorused with familiar songs of celebration, as the colours of claret and blue smoke painted the skies.
We now know that Aston Villa will face Manchester City in the final on Sunday 1st March 2020 (4.30pm kick off).
The Villains showed a gritty, passionate performance in both legs, and perhaps it was this passion that set them apart on the night. Leicester showed their skill in dominating play and creating threatening chances on the attack, but the inability to capitalise on these chances was what cost them most dearly.
Dean Smith will lead his boyhood club to Wembley for the second time in 12 months, with the hopes of winning this domestic trophy for the club's sixth time. With a squad and fanbase filled with dedication to the Villa, this will be a wonderful opportunity for them to reclaim the cup and show why they are proud to wear the badge.
The semi-final second leg against Leicester began 1-1 on aggregate, meaning both teams were up for it with everything still to play for.
The first leg at the King Power Stadium saw Villa take the lead with a smooth tap-in from wing back Guilbert, whilst Leicester dominated possession throughout and bagged a late equaliser through Iheanacho.
Villa Park was positively rocking with yet another trip to Wembley potentially only 90 minutes away, and as newly signed striker Mbwana Samatta made the starting lineup, the home side were set to cause an upset as the underdogs.
Sitting comfortably at third place in the Premier League, Leicester could have perhaps entered the second leg quietly confident, but with Vardy on the bench, they were missing their main man. The Foxes enjoyed around 70% possession throughout the game, particularly dominating play in the first half with good chances from Maddison and Tielemans.
Yet it was a clever flick in the box from Jack Grealish to Matt Targett in the 12th minute that broke the deadlock, as the wing back landed a neat cross in the back of the net. Once again it was Grealish who seemed to orchestrate the entire passage of play, pulling out the players around him and to make things happen.
Ørjan Nyland undoubtedly earnt the man of the match title within the first 45, making at least three incredible saves to keep Villa in the game. At the break, Leicester would have felt hard done by to be trailing a goal behind, particularly after a call for a handball by Marvellous Nakamba was overruled at the notorious hand of VAR.
The second half began with the same roaring spirit as the first, with both teams and their fans set on a trip to London on the 1st March. Villa enjoyed some more of the ball and opted to try and catch Leicester on the counter attack, but to no avail.
Rodgers resorted to plan B, putting Vardy on the pitch in the hopes to change the game. However, it was not the league's top scorer who put the East Midlands side back in it, but the return of Kelechi Iheanacho. His quick strike made things level once again, and with only 15 minutes of the 90 left, one team had to take action.
On came the Egyptian duo, Trezeguet and Elmohamady, to add some fresh legs to the field. The board signalled four added minutes and the crowd offered a last minute injection of support for both sides. At this point, it looked as though either team could have bagged a winner, but it was a tough one to call.
The 93rd minute struck, and a swooping cross from Elmohamady landed at the feet of Trezeguet, who struck for the far post and beat Schmeichel to it. Villa fans across the park erupted, whilst Söyüncü and his fellow back line dropped to their knees in defeat. The Foxes fans were silenced again and the Villa boys from Aston bathed in the sea of limbs that flailed from the stands.
Well over time, the away side gave one last push via a nervy Maddison free kick, which is once again unsuccessful and sums up a very frustrating game for Leicester's number 10.
The final whistle summoned thousands of overwhelmed Villa fans to pour on to the pitch, much to the frustration of the stewards and security staff. Nothing could stop the supporters as they surrounded their heroes of the night. Mings and Trezeguet were lifted and chorused with familiar songs of celebration, as the colours of claret and blue smoke painted the skies.
We now know that Aston Villa will face Manchester City in the final on Sunday 1st March 2020 (4.30pm kick off).
The Villains showed a gritty, passionate performance in both legs, and perhaps it was this passion that set them apart on the night. Leicester showed their skill in dominating play and creating threatening chances on the attack, but the inability to capitalise on these chances was what cost them most dearly.
Dean Smith will lead his boyhood club to Wembley for the second time in 12 months, with the hopes of winning this domestic trophy for the club's sixth time. With a squad and fanbase filled with dedication to the Villa, this will be a wonderful opportunity for them to reclaim the cup and show why they are proud to wear the badge.
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