Villa News

Villa Handed Decent Cup Draw

|
Image for Villa Handed Decent Cup Draw

Aston Villa have been draw at home against Nottingham Forest or Martin O’Neill’s former club Leicester in the third-round of the Carling Cup.

Neither side should post too much of a challenge to Villa, though there are no easy games in the Carling Cup as the lower-league side always look to swell their coffers with a win against higher-league opponents.

Forest, who of course won the European Cup in 1980, are currently 18th in League One after drawing two and losing one of their opening three fixtures. Their lowly standing, just 27 years after winning the biggest prize in club football, shows how quickly fortunes can change in modern football.

Leicester, currently ninth in the Championship, won this competition under O’Neill in 1997 and 2000, and were runners-up in 1999. However, the team had then was far superior to the one they have now and their history in the tournament is nothing but a talking point.

The tie of the round is arguably Arsenal v Newcastle, while Hull v Chelsea could throw up a surprise as the top-four clubs rarely play anything remotely resembling a full-strength team in this competition.

Matches will be played during the week commencing September 24.

Share this article