EFL Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 39,300

EFL Cup | Semi-Finals

Jan 28, 2020 at 7.45pm UK

Aston Villa
2-1
Leicester Leicester City

Targett (12'), Trezeguet (93')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Iheanacho (72')

Road to Wembley: How Aston Villa reached the EFL Cup final

| 28 January 2020

Trezeguet's stoppage-time winner against Leicester was the final step for Dean Smith's side on their route to Wembley.

Aston Villa head to Wembley on Sunday for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

It will mark the third straight season that the midlands club have played at the national stadium, having reached the last two Championship play-off finals.

Here, the PA news agency looks back over the six matches that took Dean Smith’s side to the March 1 showpiece.

Round two: Crewe 1 Villa 6

You've seen all the goals but now check out our alternative view of Tuesday night's #CarabaoCup win over Crewe.

👉 https://t.co/IHVhR1VzUW #AVFC pic.twitter.com/KfEhcK4ZAB

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 29, 2019

Ezri Konsa netted an early opener and Conor Hourihane struck twice before half-time to ensure a straightforward night. Keinan Davis, Frederic Guilbert and Jack Grealish ran up the score in the second half, with Ryan Wintle’s consolation making it 5-1 at the time.

Round three: Brighton 1 Villa 3

Jack Grealish, right, scores Villa's third goal against Brighton — Jack Grealish, right, blasts Villa’s third goal against Brighton (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Jota opened the scoring, with Hourihane and Grealish on target again either side of Haydon Roberts’ reply for a much-changed Seagulls side.

Round four: Villa 2 Wolves 1

"The cup means a lot to these fans and this club.

"It would be great to go back to Wembley."@Elmo_27 on our #CarabaoCup ambitions. 🏆 #AVFC pic.twitter.com/c2puVSjNyX

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 31, 2019

Ahmed El Ghazi’s opener was cancelled out by Patrick Cutrone, but Ahmed Elmohamady quickly restored Villa’s lead and they held on to reach the last eight.

Quarter-final: Villa 5 Liverpool 0

6-1 vs. Crewe Alexandra ✅3-1 vs. Brighton ✅2-1 vs. Wolves ✅5-0 vs. Liverpool ✅

Who do you want to face in the semi-finals? 🤔#AVFC #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/7s37v0h2hI

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 18, 2019

Villa were the beneficiaries of a clash with Liverpool’s Club World Cup commitments as the Reds sent out a second-string team. Hourihane’s opener was followed by a Morgan Boyes own goal and Jonathan Kodjia scored twice before half-time. Wesley rounded off the scoring.

Semi-final, first leg: Leicester 1 Villa 1

Orjan Nyland saves from Jamie Vardy, centre, in the semi-final first leg (Nick Potts/PA)

Guilbert gave Villa a first-half lead and Orjan Nyland made several fine saves, but Kelechi Iheanacho’s second-half strike left the tie in the balance heading back to Villa Park.

Semi-final, second leg: Villa 2 Leicester 1 (Villa win 3-2 on aggregate)

Trezeguet is chaired off the pitch by Villa fans after his late winner — **Trezeguet** is chaired off the pitch by Villa fans after his late winner (Mike Egerton/PA)

Matt Targett gave Villa the lead on the night and in the tie with a breakaway goal in the first half. Iheanacho finally found a way past the inspired Nyland with just over a quarter of an hour remaining but in added time Elmohamady crossed for fellow Egyptian Trezeguet to volley Villa into the final.