In what wound up being an incredibly entertaining semi-final second leg at Villa Park, Aston Villa were able to confirm their place in the final of the 2020 Carabao Cup. They will go on to play either Manchester United or Manchester City at Wembley, with their opponents being decided in tomorrow’s second semi-final.
Both teams certainly looked like they were up for the cup tie, especially with a trip to Wembley now being on the horizon. Leicester may have done some good work in the possession game, but truth be told, that was about it.
Heading to Wembley
Villa started off like a house on fire and really came at the Foxes, who went close several times throughout the first half – including a few dynamite saves from Orjan Nyland. They took the lead through Matt Targett in the first 45 minutes, but in the second, Kelechi Iheanacho was able to pop up with yet another big goal against Villa to equalise. Alas, it wasn’t done there, with Trezeguet scoring in the 93rd minute to send Villa fans into a state of ecstasy.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith was clearly elated with his side’s performance as they look ahead to Wembley.
“I certainly let myself go with the goal. That deep into stoppage time, there was a bit of emotion from everyone and the place erupted.
“Our goalkeeper made three great saves but I thought we were aggressive as well.
A huge result
“To go and get the win at the death like we did there, to take this club to Wembley, I’ll be a very proud man to walk out there with this team.”
Brendan Rodgers was proud of his Leicester team despite their heartbreaking last minute loss.
“I thought we were excellent. Their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves.
“We had a nice control in the game. I thought we should have had a definite handball for a penalty. By the end of the game I thought only one team looked like they were going to win it.
“It’s tough to take looking back over the two games, but congratulations to Aston Villa and we have to move on.”
Match Report
Aston Villa: Nyland (8), Hause (6.5), Mings (6), Ngoyo (7), Targett (7.5), Nakamba (7), Luiz (6.5), Guilbert (7), Grealish (7), Samatta (6), El Ghazi (6.5), Davis (7), Elmohamady (7), Trezeguet (7.5)
Leicester: Schmeichel (6), Soyuncu (6.5), Evans (7), Chilwell (6.5), Pereira (7), Tielemans (7), Ndidi (6), Barnes (7), Perez (6), Maddison (7), Iheanacho (7), Vardy (6), Gray (6)
Referee: Mike Dean
Goals: Targett, Trezeguet :: Iheanacho
Yellow Cards: Konsa, Douglas Luiz, Soyuncu
Red Cards: N/A
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