Carabao Cup final: Man City win for third consecutive season

One for Phil's bedroom wall...

EPACopyright: EPA

Manchester City secured their third League Cup win in succession - and their fourth in five years - with victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.

Pep Guardiola's side won an historic treble of domestic trophies last season with the Premier League and FA Cup, and they thoroughly deserved their triumph despite a spirited effort from Aston Villa.

You can read more of Phil's Wembley report here.

• Man City boss Pep Guardiola has won 21 of his previous 25 finals as a top-flight manager, including all six with City (2 Community Shields, 3 League Cups, 1 FA Cup).
• Man City’s Sergio Agüero has scored 10 goals in his last six starts against Aston Villa, while the Argentine has been directly involved in eight goals in 10 appearances at Wembley.
• Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been directly involved in nine goals in his 10 starts in all competitions this season (2 goals, 7 assists).

• Man City are just the second side to win three consecutive League Cup titles after Liverpool between 1980-81 and 1983-84 (4 in a row). Indeed, only Liverpool (8) have won the competition more times than Man City (7).
• Only Arsenal (6) have finished runners-up more often in League Cup history than Aston Villa (4 – level with Liverpool, Man Utd, Spurs).
• Man City manager Pep Guardiola has now won the League Cup on three occasions (2018, 2019, 2020) – only Alex Ferguson (4), Brian Clough (4) and Jose Mourinho (4) have won the competition more often amongst managers.

So if you're just joining us:

- Villa started well and went close early on

- Sergio Aguero prodded home from a Phil Foden knock down

- Rodri nodded a second when unmarked from a corner

- Mbwana Samatta got Villa back into it before the break

- City controlled much of the second period

- Bjorn Engels hit the post late on via a fine Claudio Bravo save

- City claimed the League Cup for a third season in a row

- Foden won man of the match

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

SMS Message: Against a team worth so much Villa put in a good performance. For all the balls and shots they only hit the target once more than us. Gutted but proud. from Richard, St Albans

Against a team worth so much Villa put in a good performance. For all the balls and shots they only hit the target once more than us. Gutted but proud.

I'm with you Phil.

Wembley announcer demanding: "Three cheers for City - hip hip." What happened to celebrations with the fans without all the soundtrack and dialogue?

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "Three times in a row is a big success. It's the consistency, incredible.

"It was awesome. We struggled in the first minutes and the last ones. They had two clear chances in the first minutes but we played really well, especially in the second half.

"The game was good. Phil was clinical. Big success, our second title of the season with the Community Shield, it's so nice.

"We've won a lot. I tried when we arrive, every game we play we try to win it, every competition we try to win it, and three trimes in a row, being here and winning is great."

Words from Pep up next...

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Greg: Manchester City win a third League Cup in a row and on St David's Day it's great that David Silva as captain will lift the trophy.

Good shout Greg. I can't believe Silva didn't throw a leek and daffodil badge on like I had to in my school years.

Phil Foden was asked by Sky Sports when he found out that he'd be in the starting line-up: "The day before, in training, the manager was working on tactics - I couldn’t wait to play. It was an unbelievable day.

"I have to say fair play to Aston Villa, they gave us a really good game.

"When I play, every minute counts, so I try and do my best and I’m very proud of my performance today.

"You look at players like Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva, who are great, so when I get into the team I have to make the most of it."

"I like how Pep stays away. He lets the players have their moment."

Manchester City have champagne in their hands....

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Pep Guardiola describes Manchester City's display as "awesome".

More to come shortly.

David Silva has the trophy in his hands. There's a touch of confusion as they contemplate the kind of shared trophy lift that should be outlawed.

They decide it is just Silva to do the honours and he pushes it into the air.

Well done Manchester City. Another one to polish.