Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Capital One Cup Semi Final First Leg Previews

Four teams remain in the Capital One Cup, a trophy which has already served up its fair share of drama, shock and magic.

The story of the season so far has been League Two side Bradford City beating giants Arsenal on penalties in the last round.

It wasn't just the Gunners though who have been shocked by Phil Parkinson's men. Since the first round they have beaten teams in the three divisions above them, including another top flight opponent, Wigan Athletic.

The cup run has also secured the club's short term future, with the semi finals alone bringing in £1m in gate receipts and lucrative television money.

They are now just 180 minutes from Wembley, and face an Aston Villa side who are certainly vulnerable as Parkinson suggests: "We have to take advantage of the fact they've conceded a lot of goals," Parkinson told BBC Radio Leeds.

"It doesn't matter what level you play at, if you concede that number of goals then there is a vulnerability there, confidence-wise"

Villa conceded 15 goals in three games over Christmas, although a corner could well be turning after a 2-2 draw at Swansea was followed by progression in the FA Cup after seeing off Ipswich Town.

But the Midlands side have good pedigree in this competition, winning it five times including the inaugral competition in 1961.

This season they have knocked out Manchester City and Norwich, and manager Paul Lambert said a trip to Wembley would be "extraordinary"

The Scot said: "For this club to get to Wembley again would be extraordinary."
"In a one-off game there you just never know what could happen. I think every player would tell you it would be absolutely phenomenal."

The other semi final sees favourites Chelsea take on Swansea City, with the Welsh side again impressing neutrals with their slick passing style under Michael Laudrup.

Should the Swans overcome Chelsea, it will be the first cup final in their history and a return to Wembley since beating Reading in the Championship playoff final in 2011 to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Chelsea go into the game on the back of a 5-1 victory at Southampton in the FA Cup, with new signing Demba Ba scoring twice on his debut.

And the striker is eligible to play in Wednesday's game, giving Rafael Benitez a selection dilema over Ba and £50m striker Fernando Torres.

The likes of Eden Hazard and Juan Mata are likely to start as Chelsea target their first trophy in five attempts this season after losing out in the Community Shield, European Super Cup and Club World Championship as well as being knocked out of the Champions League.

Capital One Cup Semi Final First Legs: Tuesday 8 January - Bradford City v Aston Villa. Wednesday 9 January - Chelsea v Swansea City



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