MAN CITY are set to defend their Carabao Cup title against Aston Villa at Wembley.
The reigning champions have failed to reach the final of this competition just twice since 2014 – and won a year ago following a tense penalty shootout against Chelsea.
Raheem Sterling after the Carabao Cup final win over ChelseaCredit: Getty – Contributor
Villa have won the League Cup five times, but their last triumph was over two decades ago in the 1995/96 season.
Dean Smith’s side can forget their Premier League relegation battle for the day but will have to overcome odds of 20/1 if they’re to lift the trophy.
Jack Grealish and his Aston Villa teammates have scored 19 goals in the Carabao Cup so far this season
What time is kick-off?
THIS year’s Carabao Cup final is set for Sunday, March 1.
Last season Man City overcame Chelsea in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw.
Kick-off is set for 4.30pm.
Villa and City have met twice already in the Premier League this term, with the champions winning by an aggregate of 9-1.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
YOU can catch the game live on Sky Sports Football, Main Event and Ultra HD.
Coverage and build-up will get going at 3pm.
If you’re not a Sky customer, grab a NOW TV pass from just £9.99 to stream on a number of devices.
While for those of you in the USA, ESPN+ have the rights to show this year’s competition live.
What is the team news?
BOTH Jed Steer and Tom Heaton are missing for Villa as they look for their first major silverware in 24 years.
Anwar El Ghazi and Keinan Davis will be assessed through the week, while on-loan Chelsea man Danny Drinkwater isn’t eligible.
City will be without Aymeric Laporte who is ruled out for around a month after limping out of the 2-1 win over Real Madrid.
Leroy Sane is nearing a return to fitness but won’t feature, while John Stones appears to be almost completely frozen out by Guardiola.
City swept the board last season, including the FA Cup and Carabao CupCredit: PA:Press Association
What they said
Pep Guardiola: “Being there again is a great achievement. Hopefully for the fans we can win it. The result the last day is past and we focus on the final. It is a different competition with a historic team.”
“It’s better to go play a final after a good result in Madrid but we cannot live a final thinking how good we were. Madrid is not done. I have thought that it is difficult to win at big clubs but it is challenging to beat them twice.
Big clubs can lose one game but two? It does not come often. But it helps us so football is about emotion and it is better to play a final with the character.”
Dean Smith: “It’s massive because they’re one-off games these cup finals. Yes, you get a medal either way but, certainly, there’s a lot of euphoria if you win. We’ll be going all-out to win, that’s for sure.
“I’ve said before, the history of this football club, five wins and it could be a sixth one. It’s been far too long for Aston Villa not to collect some silverware.
“I went to the 1994 final and we’re probably about the same odds as Villa then to beat a Manchester United side after the Treble that year when Ron Atkinson masterminded a great win!”
Jack Grealish’s creativity could inspire Aston Villa to Carabao Cup victory against Man CityCredit: Getty Images
Match odds
- Aston Villa to win in 90 minutes – 18/1
- Draw at Wembley – 15/2
- City to win the game – 2/15
- Both teams to score – 5/4
*Odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
