Key events
The last time these teams met in the last 32 of this competition was in October 1999, when Villa hammered a young United side 3-0. I doubt even Sir Alex Ferguson could name the team he picked that night.
World Cup winners and losers
Gareth Southgate announced England’s 26-man squad, and there was mixed news for the players of United and Villa.
In Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw.
Out Tyrone Mings, Jadon Sancho, Ollie Watkins.
Rules and regulations
There’s no extra time tonight. If it’s level after 90 minutes, the tie goes straight to penalties. Who says the governing bodies don’t care about player welfare?
I’ve just realised there’s no VAR either. Well this is all very exciting, isn’t it? Am I allowed to be this gleeful? Well I am.
Team news
Martin Dubravka, the goalkeeper on loan from Newcastle, will make his Manchester United debut. That’s one of seven changes from the defeat at Villa Park on Sunday. The survivors are Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Donny van de Beek – who starts three consecutive games for the first time as a United player – and Marcus Rashford. Oh, and McFred have been reunited.
Unai Emery also makes seven changes from Sunday’s game. The survivors are Ezri Konsa, Jacob Ramsey, Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins. Both teams have a number of big hitters on the bench.
Manchester United (possible 4-2-3-1) Dubravka; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; McTominay, Fred; Fernandes, Van de Beek, Rashford; Martial.
Substitutes: De Gea, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Pellistri, Elanga, Garnacho, Shoretire.
Aston Villa (possible 4-2-2-2) Olsen; Young, Konsa, Chambers, Augustinsson; Kamara, Douglas Luiz; McGinn, J Ramsey; Ings, Watkins.
Substitutes: Martinez, Cash, Mings, Sanson, Buendia, Nakamba, Digne, Bailey, Archer.
Referee David Coote.
Preamble
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Man Utd v Aston Villa in the last 32 of the Carabao Cup, and yes I did have to check which round it is. It’s the start of United’s latest attempt to win their first trophy since the 2016-17 season. In that time their two biggest rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City, have won a Champions League, five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, three league and cup doubles, one cup double, a domestic treble and – sod it, let’s include them – three Community Shields. What a time to be alive on the Stretford End!
We’ll get an idea from the team news just how much Erik ten Hag – and Villa’s new coach Unai Emery – would like to win the Carabao Cup. It has been a gateway trophy for many sides in the past, including Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and Sir Alex Ferguson’s last great United team. With Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs going out last night, the competition already feels pretty open.
Villa can see United’s six-season drought and raise it to 27. Their last trophy was in the 1995-96 season, when Brian Little’s excellent side battered Leeds in the Coca-Cola Cup final. Emery certainly knows how to take second-tier teams (no offence) to glory. He won three Europa Leagues with Sevilla and another with Villarreal, the first major honour in their history, when they beat United on penalties in the final.
Emery had the perfect start when Villa overran United in the Premier League on Sunday. If he beats United again at Old Trafford, he gets to keep them.
Kick off 8pm
