Gary Lineker introduces live coverage of the Carling Cup final from Wembley, as Manchester United and Aston Villa contest the first major trophy of the season.

Defending champions United start as favourites against Villa, who are making their first cup final appearance for a decade. However, Villa have been synonymous with the League Cup since winning the inaugural competition in 1961. They have lifted the trophy five times, second only to Liverpool, and manager Martin O'Neill has twice won it as a player and twice more as manager of Leicester City. The last of those successes was in 2000, when Villa also reached a Wembley final but lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Both clubs reached the final in dramatic fashion, with United overcoming their Manchester rivals City with a stoppage-time goal from Wayne Rooney, while Villa recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Blackburn 6-4 in the decisive second leg.

Villa shocked United earlier in the season with their first win at Old Trafford for 26 years, courtesy of Gabby Agbonlahor's headed winner. But United have won 14 major trophies since Villa beat them in the League Cup final of 1996 and, in Rooney, they boast the outstanding talent on the pitch.

Introduced by Gary Lineker, with Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer and Gareth Southgate.

Commentary comes from Guy Mowbray with Mark Lawrenson. Show less