Man City won their first piece of silverware of this season yesterday, with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in The Carabao Cup Final at Wembley
Yesterday was the final of The Carabao Cup. Man City beat local rivals Man United and Aston Villa beat high flying Leicester to reach the final.
This was to be City’s fourth League Cup final in five years, with Villa last getting there in 2010. City would obviously go in as favourites after winning the competition for the last two season. These two sides have already met twice in the Premier Leauge this season, with City winning 3-0 and 6-1.
In terms of experience in this competition, both sides have a lot. City had won it six times before yesterdays final and Villa five times.
It was going to be a very interesting game, with City priced at 1/16 with some bookmakers to lift the trophy. However, Villa wasn’t going to just roll over, especially with the local lad and captain Jack Grealish in the side.
There’s no place like home 🏟
All set for the first major cup Final of the season 🏆 @AVFCOfficial | @ManCity #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/qfdWc48Iz5
— Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) March 1, 2020
Aston Villa vs Man City
Villa started with their strongest team available to them but kept with Nyland in goal. City, on the other hand, made eight changes from the side that won at Real Madrid. Aguero and Sterling were back in, with Bravo also keeping his place in goal.
City were dominant from the start of the match and had the majority of the ball. They made it count in the 20th minute when Aguero opened the scoring, getting his 10th goal in six games against Villa. Gundogan played the ball over to Foden who cut it back for Aguero to hit on the half volley from six yards out.
Pep’s side then doubled their lead ten minutes later. Rodri rising the highest at a corner to head the ball home for a 2-0 lead. Villa fans felt hard done by with this goal, as replays showed it should have been a goal kick and not a corner.
It felt at this point that Villa could have been on the receiving end of another thrashing. However, thanks to John Stones they were given a lifeline. The ball was sent long and it looked simple for Stones to clear. The centre-back though fell over and the ball was then played into the box for Samatta to head home brilliantly. It flew into the bottom left corner leaving Bravo no chance.
The score was 2-1 at halftime with City firmly in control but Villa still in with a chance.
City piled on the pressure in the second half, with Nyland being called into action several times. Villa were holding on but they were still in the game whilst the scoreline was at 2-1. They nearly got one back late on through Engels. He got up from a corner and somehow Bravo managed to push it on to the post.
The game finished minutes after this big chance and Man City have won the Carabao Cup for the third year in a row. This win put them up to seven League Cup trophies, with only Liverpool having more on eight.
Champions League and FA Cup
Up next for City is the second leg of their Round Of 16 clash with Real Madrid. They are currently 2-1 up with the next leg at home. With the two away goals, this has them at 1/11 to qualify with Real at 6/1 on Betway. City are also the favourites to win the whole competition at 11/4. With Real missing Ramos due to a red card, you would expect City to score a couple again in the next leg and go through comfortably…
Pep’s side are still in the FA Cup as well, another trophy they won last year! They go to Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday which should be a straight forward game for them. Betway have them as the favourites for this competition as well at 7/4
