Aston Villa vs. Man Utd

Carling Cup final
Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Sunday, 28 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Sky Sports 1 & live on BBC One & BBC HD from 1400 GMT

• TEAM NEWS

Aston Villa's Stiliyan Petrov is fit after a virus and should start, while James Collins and Emile Heskey could return after being rested in midweek.

Reserve keeper Brad Guzan has played in all of Villa's previous Carling Cup ties this season but may lose his place to the more experienced Brad Friedel.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is out with a back injury.

The Red Devils are also without Ryan Giggs (arm) and Anderson (knee), while Nani completes a three-game ban.

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Aston Villa:

Injured: Harewood (foot), Reo-Coker (ankle)

Manchester United:

Suspended: Nani (one match)

Injured: Anderson & Hargreaves (knee), Ferdinand (back), Giggs (arm), O'Shea (thigh)

• MATCH PREVIEW

The season's first major piece of silverware will be settled on Sunday, with Aston Villa looking to end a 14-year trophy drought against Carling Cup holders Manchester United.

The Red Devils may have lost only one of their last 26 games against Villa, but with that defeat coming at Old Trafford in December, the Villans should not lack self belief. However, they will have to stop in-form United striker Wayne Rooney, who is enjoying the most prolific season of his career.

This will be Villa's first trip down Wembley Way for a decade, since a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the last FA Cup final at the old stadium. Villa have become synonymous with the League Cup since winning the inaugural competition in 1961, and it is therefore fitting they return for the 50th final.

They have lifted the trophy five times, a tally second only to Liverpool, but the last of those wins came against Leeds in 1996. Since then there have been no significant additions to the trophy cabinet (it is unlikely the 2001 Intertoto Cup or last year's pre-season Peace Cup take pride of place at Villa Park).

This will be United's seventh game at Wembley since the stadium reopened, and so far it has not proved an altogether happy hunting ground - they have not won a game without the aid of penalty kicks.

Sir Alex Ferguson relied on fringe players up to the semi-finals before recalling senior stars such as Wayne Rooney to dispose of "noisy neighbours" Man City. The England star, who took his tally to 27 goals in midweek, has scored six of his last seven goals with his head. Before this season, he had managed just four headed goals in 316 club appearances.

• MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Aston Villa's 1-0 win at Old Trafford in December was their first victory against United in 25 matches (in all competitions). As the sides drew 1-1 at Villa Park earlier this month, Villa have won only once in 26 games against the Red Devils.

• But the Villans have won their last three League Cup ties against the Red Devils (third-round wins in 1999 & 1992 plus the 1994 final).

Aston Villa

• This will be their eighth League Cup final. They have previously lifted the trophy five times, second only to Liverpool (seven times winners).

• Villa are unbeaten in 12 games (all competitions) since losing 1-0 to Liverpool on 29 December.

• They won the inaugural League Cup in 1961 (when they beat Rotherham 3-2 over two legs).

Manchester United

• The Red Devils will be taking part in their eighth final - they have won three (1992, 2006 and 2009) and lost four (1983, 1991, 1994 & 2003) of the previous seven.

• They have played at the new Wembley six times and have yet to win a game without the aid of a penalty shoot-out.

• In fact, since losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the 2007 FA Cup final, United's subsequent five games at Wembley have all been settled from 12 yards. United held their nerve to win the Community Shield in 2008 & 2009 plus last year's League Cup final but lost out to Everton in an FA Cup semi-final and to Chelsea in this season's Community Shield.

• Sir Alex Ferguson is pursuing the 32nd major trophy of his career (including those won in Scotland but not Community Shields or similar international honours). He is already the most decorated manger in English and Scottish history (surpassing Bill Struth, the Rangers manager from 1920-54, who won 30 major trophies in all).

• MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Phil Dowd

Assistant referees: Shaun Procter-Green & David Richardson

Fourth official: Lee Mason

• LAST MEETING

Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd (10 February 2010)

Aston Villa goalscorer: Cuellar 19

Man Utd goalscorer: Collins 23 (og)

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Injured Rio Ferdinand to miss England friendly

England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss next Wednesday's friendly against Egypt because of a back problem.

The Manchester United defender had already been ruled out of Sunday's Carling Cup final at Wembley against Aston Villa because of the same injury.

"He won't be fit for the England game but we don't think it is too serious," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is now favourite to wear the skipper's armband at Wembley.

Ferdinand, 31, had been expected to captain England following coach Fabio Capello's decision to remove John Terry from the role earlier this month amid allegations over the Chelsea defender's private life.

However, Ferdinand has a long-standing back complaint that kept him out for more than three months earlier this season.

Ferguson insisted that there was no reason to think the former West Ham star could not cope with the demands of a busy club and international schedule.

"I don't think we are at the stage where he should be concentrating on one part of his life in terms of international and domestic football," added Ferguson.

"That has never been any issue. I have never discussed it with him and I don't think he has ever thought about that himself."

Ferdinand had been set to play in Tuesday's Premier League game against West Ham after serving a four-match suspension, which followed his sending off against Hull City on 23 January - his first game after his three-month lay-off.

But he felt a "twinge in his back" during training, according to Ferguson, and was left out of the side, with United going on to win the game 3-0.

Ferguson praises League Cup rival

England's game against Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt is the final friendly before Capello names his provisional squad for this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Ferguson had said of Ferdinand before the match against the Hammers: "It is a blow for us because I was looking forward to having Ferdinand and Vidic back on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

"You never know with back injuries and we have been through this before but we don't think it is too serious. I don't think he will be fit for the AC Milan game but I don't think it will be long afterwards. We think he could be back in two weeks."

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Manchester United's Anderson to miss season with injury

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing a cruciate ligament against West Ham.

Ferguson explains Anderson's injury woe

The Brazilian was injured after 19 minutes of Tuesday's 3-0 win, his first game for over a month.

With the 21-year-old also set to miss the World Cup, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It is a bad blow."

Winger Ryan Giggs, however, could face AC Milan in next month's Champions League tie following an arm fracture.

The 36-year-old Welshman suffered the injury to his right arm on 10 February after colliding with Aston Villa's Steve Sidwell in the 1-1 draw at Villa Park.

The veteran Sports Personality of the Year winner was sidelined for four weeks and could now feature against former team-mate David Beckham in the second leg against the Italian giants at Old Trafford.

"Ryan still has the injury to the arm," said Ferguson. "But we are taking the plate out at the end of the week and he will be in full training after that, which is good news."

Ferguson revealed he had also been considering Anderson, an £18m signing from Porto in 2007, as a starter in the return leg with AC Milan at Old Trafford on 10 March, when Michael Carrick will be suspended.

But in only his 14th league appearance of this season, he was forced off the pitch in the first half of Tuesday's comfortable win over the Hammers and was replaced by Ji-Sung Park.

"It's bad news for him," Ferguson added. "He was looking forward to coming back and had been showing great energy and enthusiasm."

Following a scan on Wednesday, Anderson will head to Portugal in a fortnight for an operation to repair the ruptured cruciate ligament.

His latest injury setback comes a month after being stretchered off during United's Carling Cup win over Derby on 20 January.

"It is strange, when you see cruciate injuries it is usually something simple. He stretched out for the ball and his knee just popped," said Ferguson.

"We have assessed the situation and know he needs the operation. Sometimes we have sent them to Dr Steadman in Colorado. In this instance he is comfortable with the surgeon he has dealt with in Portugal in the past.

"He will be out for six months and hopefully that should have him about right for the new season."

It was also revealed on Friday that centre-half Rio Ferdinand will miss next week's England friendly against Egypt because of a back injury.

The new England captain had already been ruled out of Sunday's Carling Cup final at Wembley against Aston Villa because of the same injury.

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Man Utd 3 - 0 West Ham

Wayne Rooney took his goal tally to 27 for the season as Manchester United saw off West Ham to move to within a point of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Rooney took his run of goals to 19 in his last 19 matches in a fine display

The in-form frontman opened the scoring with a firm header from Antonio Valencia's excellent volleyed cross.

And another Valencia cross was headed home by Rooney for the hosts' second, before substitute Michael Owen clipped a late third from Paul Scholes's pass.

West Ham battled bravely, but fell away in the face of Rooney's brilliance.

It was another sensational performance from the England forward, and one that rendered a Hammers display full of spirit, if lacking in final-third quality, pointless.

Still, the visitors need feel no shame in failing to find a way to stop Rooney at Old Trafford - they are by no means the first this season - and how national coach Fabio Capello will be hoping his key striker maintains this form up to and through the World Cup this summer.

The thought of where Manchester United would be this term without Rooney must at times send shivers down the spines of their fans, and once again the striker was the hosts' inspiration, his touch and movement first class, and his form in front of goal simply unstoppable.

It was he who almost single-handedly dragged the hosts out of a lacklustre opening to near domination as the game dragged to a close.

On the back of Saturday's defeat by Everton, and perhaps with half an eye on Sunday's Carling Cup final against Aston Villa, Sir Alex Ferguson made five changes, with the likes of Ben Foster, Anderson and Darron Gibson brought in from the cold.

However, the changes served only to produce a disjointed first-half display and, but for Rooney, West Ham may have taken advantage.

Playing on the counter, the visitors went close when Valon Behrami lashed wide after being played in by Alessandro Diamanti, while the Italian almost embarrassed Foster in the home goal when his deflected shot was parried down onto the goal line by the keeper.

At the other end, Valencia should have done better when his air-shot inside the box allowed a good chance to go awry in the opening 10 minutes, before Robert Green produced a smart double stop from the winger's shot and Dimitar Berbatov's flicked follow-up.

But as the game neared the break, the Hammers appeared more than comfortable - that is until Rooney's goal-scoring intervention.

It was a marvellous move. Berbatov collected Ji-Sung Park's pass and crossed for Valencia, who volleyed expertly into the six-yard area where the unmarked Rooney slammed home a header.

That lead was almost doubled seconds into the second half when Park rattled the crossbar from Valencia's low cross, and yet there was still a feeling that West Ham were in it if they could get the dangerous Carlton Cole and Diamanti on to the ball.

But the hosts effectively settled the game on 55 minutes, Valencia - a close rival for the man-of-the-match award - again the provider from the right for Rooney to head past the sprawling Green.

West Ham, on the back of two Premier League wins for the first time in nearly a year, refused to compromise their footballing approach and continued to probe at the Manchester United backline.

But with the returning Nemanja Vidic marshalling the defence brilliantly, clear-cut chances were very much at a premium for the Hammers.

And as it turned out it was another England striker who put the match firmly to bed in the 80th minute, Owen dashing on to Scholes's pin-point pass and chipping over Green's dive and into the net.

West Ham were aggrieved that play was not stopped in the build up to the goal with Mark Noble lying injured, but referee Alan Wiley was unmoved as Owen raced clear to fire into the corner.

There was still time for Scholes to fashion a chance for a fourth, only for the midfielder to blast high and wide from 16 yards out.

A fourth would have been harsh on the visitors, though, and West Ham will now look ahead to their potentially crucial six-pointer against relegation rivals Bolton at the weekend.

Ferguson, meanwhile, will comfort himself with the knowledge that while his side are looking to win the league cup for a fourth time in their history, they cannot fall any further than four points off the Premier League summit with 10 matches left in the campaign.

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson:
"We had to win and we did that. In the second half, especially, we played some really good football and it could have been more.

"But we're happy with the three points. Wayne Rooney was magnificent again. They were two excellent headers, although there was also some good play from Antonio Valencia.

"Now there will be changes on Sunday (for the cup final). I have done that all along in the competition and I will have to look at the situation to make sure we have a fresh team."

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"We played some good football and looked like we were in the game for most of the first half, but after that we did not play as well.

"Manchester United are a fantastic team and we could not live with them. We probably played them at the wrong time after their defeat on Saturday and, in Rooney, they have a player who turns everything to gold. He is one of the most complete strikers in the world.

"Now we look ahead to the game against Bolton, which is absolutely massive for us."

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Man Utd vs. West Ham

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Tuesday, 23 February 2010 Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live & local radio

• TEAM NEWS

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is available for Tuesday's re-arranged league game against West Ham after completing a four-match ban.

Central defensive partner Nemanja Vidic is fit after a nerve problem, so the pair could start together for the first time since October.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has said he might make some changes to his side, despite back-to-back wins.

Benni McCarthy remains a doubt with the knee injury he suffered on his debut.

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Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Brown, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Park, Anderson, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Obertan, Gibson, Rooney, Owen, Berbatov, Diouf.

Suspended: Nani (two matches)

Injured: Giggs (arm), Hargreaves (knee), O'Shea (thigh)

West Ham (from): Green, Stech, Spector, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Da Costa, Daprela, Parker, Behrami, Kovac, Collison, Noble, Diamanti, Stanislas, Cole, Mido, Ilan, Franco, McCarthy.

Doubtful: McCarthy (knee)

Injured: Boa Morte, Hines & Ilunga (all knee), Davenport (leg), Dyer & Gabbidon (both hamstring)

• MATCH PREVIEW

Following the weekend wake-up call at Everton, Manchester United can ill afford another lethargic performance on their return to the Theatre of Dreams.

It is a collector's item when Sir Alex Ferguson admits to being well beaten, as he did on Saturday.

Ferguson might be thankful that this game has been brought forward, due to United's Wembley date in the Carling Cup final on Sunday. Tuesday's re-arranged fixture gives Ferguson's side the chance to put pressure on leaders Chelsea by narrowing the gap at the top to a point.

Visitors West Ham have not won away since the opening day of the season but they enjoyed their biggest win under Gianfranco Zola at home to Hull on Saturday, clinching back-to-back league victories for the first time since March 2009.

It is also that long ago since Manchester United lost successive league games. Suffering a similar fate on Tuesday is the nightmare scenario for the defending champions.

• MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Manchester United have won their last four matches against West Ham, who had triumphed in the previous three.

Manchester United

• United suffered their first league defeat in nine games at Everton on Saturday. It was the first time they have lost after taking the lead.

• They have not suffered back-to-back league defeats since March last year, when they lost to Liverpool and Fulham.

• United are the league's joint leading scorers with 63 goals.

• Wayne Rooney has scored in each of the last five league games at Old Trafford, totalling eight goals.

West Ham

• The Hammers have gone 12 games without an away win since their 2-0 victory at Wolves on the opening day of the season.

• They are vying to keep three successive clean sheets for the first time since March.

• They have only earned one point after conceding the first goal this season, losing 10 times and drawing once. They last came from behind to win a league match in December 2008, beating Stoke 2-1.

• LEADING GOALSCORERS

Manchester United

Rooney: 25 goals (21 league); Berbatov: 9 goals (9 league)

West Ham

Cole: 9 goals (9 league); Diamanti: 7 goals (6 league)

• MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Alan Wiley

Assistant referees: Andy Garratt & Dave Bryan

Fourth official: Kevin Friend

• LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Man Utd (L1-3 v Everton, a): Van der Sar; Neville, Brown, Evans, Evra, Valencia (Owen 81), Fletcher, Carrick, Park (Obertan 66), Rooney, Berbatov (Scholes 66). Subs not used: Foster, Vidic, Rafael, Gibson.

West Ham (W3-0 v Hull, h): Green; Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Behrami, Parker, Kovac, Diamanti (Collison 85), Franco (Ilan 63), Cole (Mido 79). Subs not used: Stech, Noble, Da Costa, Stanislas.

• MOST RECENT MEETING

West Ham 0-4 Man Utd (5 December 2009)

Manchester United scorers: Scholes 45, Gibson 61, Valencia 71, Rooney 72

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Sir Alex Ferguson backs tired Man Utd to bounce back

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson blamed his side's defeat by Everton on fatigue from their midweek Champions League win over AC Milan.

Moyes (left) won the tactical battle against fellow Scot Ferguson

But Ferguson is confident United can bounce back and lift their title hopes by beating West Ham on Tuesday.

"We left something in Milan and there was tiredness in the team," Ferguson said after Saturday's 3-1 loss.

"But Tuesday is a massive game now. We've been responding for a long time so I don't expect a problem with that."

Rio Ferdinand will be available to face the Hammers after completing a four-game ban, while his central defensive partner Nemanja Vidic could also come into contention to start after being named on the bench against the Toffees.

But Ferguson will demand wholesale improvement after witnessing a disappointing United display, which he put down to the after-effects of their 3-2 win at the San Siro.

"It is difficult to think that when you go through all the emotions and the pace and intensity and atmosphere of a game like Tuesday, you don't lose something," Ferguson explained.

"Whatever it was, it was just too much for us today. We had some good chances early on and we could have been two or three up.

"The equaliser changed the game a little bit. But it was the second half that let us down.

"Our second-half performance was very poor and when you are going for the championship you expect Manchester United to respond to the importance of the game."

Dimitar Berbatov gave United the lead at Goodison Park but Diniyar Bilyaletdinov equalised before Dan Gosling put the hosts ahead and Jack Rodwell sealed a fine victory.

"This is a bad result and at this time of the year we can't afford results like that," added Ferguson.

"But I don't think we will panic because it has been a funny season. Teams have been losing points that you don't expect so the very nature of the league suggests we still have a chance."

Man Utd not good enough - Phelan

The champions took the lead when Sylvain Distin failed to clear Antonio Valencia's cross and Berbatov took a touch before lashing home off the bar.

Everton swiftly equalised through Bilyaletdinov's blistering left-footed strike and the hosts went in front when substitute Gosling diverted Steven Pienaar's cross into the bottom corner.

The win was sealed by Rodwell who, after also coming off the bench, surged into the box and slotted a composed finish low past United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.

"We started the game well enough but their goal galvanised them and gave them the incentive," added Ferguson.

"You don't want to lose a goal so quickly after going in front but the real effect showed in the second half when we were second best.

"The players are human beings, they play for Manchester United, and they don't like losing but they've lost today.

"We hope other teams drop points and that's the way it's been going this season. Hopefully it turns out right again."

Everton boss David Moyes was understandably delighted with his side's victory, which came off the back of another come-from-behind win against leaders Chelsea 10 days previously.

After a poor start to the season, the Toffees have lost only one of their last 12 league games and are threatening to force their way into European contention.

Everton a match for any team - Moyes

"We can start looking upwards a bit more than downwards," stated Moyes. "This was always going to be a tricky month and we have started it pretty well.

"It was a great result and you don't beat the big teams that often so we are delighted.

"I have said for a while on our day we can be a match for the teams above. We have not got everyone fit but I think it shows the spirit we have got. I think we can play better and I think we will."

Everton have had to contend with a lengthy injury list for most of the season and last week learned midfielder Marouane Fellaini would miss the rest of the campaign.

Another influential midfielder, Tim Cahill, was also missing against United after suffering a calf injury in the midweek Europa League win against Sporting Lisbon.

But Everton's strength in depth was illustrated by the contributions of Gosling, 20, and 19-year-old Rodwell.

"As we know, Gosling has got a goal in him and Rodwell made up for a bit of a mistake in midweek by settling the game," added Moyes.

The manager revealed that Landon Donovan played after a flu scare on the morning of the match but the American, on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, delivered another impressive display.

Donovan is set to return to the United States for the start of the Major League Soccer season with the Galaxy and Moyes said there were no plans to extend his loan beyond the end of March.

"I think Landon would like to stay but at the moment it probably looks as if not," he said. "I wouldn't want to have any disrespect to his club or the contract he has over there."

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