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Played
January 8, 2013 7:45 PM GMT
Coral Windows Stadium — Bradford, West Yorkshire
Referee:‬ H. Webb‎
Attendance:‬ 22245‎
 
19′ Nahki Wells
Andreas Weimann 82′
77′ Rory McArdle
 
88′ Carl McHugh
 

Bradford - Aston Villa Preview: Bantams looking to prolong dream Capital One Cup run against Villans

The League Two minnows have proved they can spring a shock by knocking both Wigan and Arsenal out of this competition but will remain underdogs for this semi-final tie

By Tom J Doyle

More On :  Aston Villa, Bradford City, Bradford City vs Aston Villa
Bradford City, Arsenal
Clive Brunskill
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

BRADFORD

Duke
Darby, Meredith, McHugh, McArdle
Jones, Atkinson, Jones, Doyle
Hanson, Wells
ASTON VILLA

Given
Lowton, Clark, Herd, Lichaj
El Ahmadi, Delph, Westwood, Bennett
Bent, Benteke

Andrew Davies (knee), Luke Oliver (Achilles) and Garry Thompson (knee) are all expected to miss out for Bradford.

However, the Bantams have few other injury worries as they prepare to host Premier League opposition yet again this season.

Paul Lambert, meanwhile, will have to juggle his squad as the Villans have a number of injury problems to contend with across several positions.

Marc Albrighton is doubtful for the clash after injuring his foot against Ipswich but could make the squad whilst Richard Dunne (groin) and Stiliyan Petrov (leukaemia) have no set return dates.

Ron Vlaar (calf) and Nathan Baker (hamstring) should both still be out while long-term absentee Gary Gardner (knee) will be absent until May.

Neither side has any suspensions for the game.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Bradford have an excellent record against Premier League opposition in the Capital One Cup this year, having knocked out both Wigan and Arsenal.
  • If the Bantams progress against Aston Villa, they will be the first fourth-tier team to knock out three Premier League teams in the same year.
  • Phil Parkinson's men conceded four goals in their last home game, losing 4-2 to Rochdale in League Two.
  • Aston Villa have conceded 18 goals in their last five games, including 10 in just two away fixtures.
  • The Villans have won every single time they have faced a fourth-tier team in the League Cup - 19 victories in total.
  • Gabriel Agbonlahor (pictured, right) has five goals in seven League Cup games.
  • This will be Villa's 14th appearance in a League Cup semi-final, a record matched only by Arsenal and Liverpool.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Bradford City 1-2 Aston Villa
    15.7 %
  • Bradford City 1-3 Aston Villa
    9.56 %
  • Bradford City 2-1 Aston Villa
    9.56 %
Head to Head
Capital One Cup ‎(CCUP)‎ 22 Jan 2013 Aston Villa 2 - Bradford City 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Capital One Cup ‎(CCUP)‎ 8 Jan 2013 Bradford City 3 - Aston Villa 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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Last Five Matches
Bradford City
27 Apr 2013Cheltenham Town 0 - Bradford City 0EFL2
20 Apr 2013Bradford City 1 - Burton Albion 0EFL2
16 Apr 2013Bradford City 0 - Rotherham United 2EFL2
13 Apr 2013Chesterfield 2 - Bradford City 2EFL2
9 Apr 2013Bradford City 4 - Bristol Rovers 1EFL2
Aston Villa
19 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Aston Villa 2EPL
11 May 2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
4 May 2013Norwich City 1 - Aston Villa 2EPL
29 Apr 2013Aston Villa 6 - Sunderland 1EPL
22 Apr 2013Manchester United 3 - Aston Villa 0EPL
Odds
Returns: Bradford £43.33 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £510.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Aston Villa £4010.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
12Matt DukeGoalkeeper
2Stephen DarbyDefender
16Carl McHughDefender
23Rory McArdleDefender
33Curtis GoodDefender
14Will AtkinsonMidfielder
18Gary JonesMidfielder
24Nathan DoyleMidfielder
9James HansonStriker
20Zavon HinesStriker
-Nahki WellsStriker
1Jon McLaughlanGoalkeeper
4Richard RavenhillMidfielder
7Kyle ReidMidfielder
-Ritchie JonesMidfielder
26Blair TurgottMidfielder
17Alan ConnellStriker
-Ross HannahStriker
1Shay GivenGoalkeeper
6Ciaran ClarkDefender
27Joseph BennettDefender
32Nathan BakerDefender
34Matthew LowtonDefender
10Charles N'ZogbiaMidfielder
16Fabian DelphMidfielder
25Barry BannanMidfielder
11Gabriel AgbonlahorStriker
20C. BentekeStriker
26Andreas WeimannStriker
22Bradley GuzanGoalkeeper
29Enda StevensDefender
30Eric LichajDefender
7Stephen IrelandMidfielder
40Samir CarruthersMidfielder
9Darren BentStriker
36Graham BurkeMidfielder
Players to Watch
Nahki Wells
Nahki Wells
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 0
Games Goals YC RC
7 3 2 0
The powerful forward was in excellent form as his side dumped Arsenal out of the competition in the quarter-finals, proving to be a real thorn in the side of Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker. The Villa defence has been shaky at best of late and will not relish facing the athletic striker, who has 15 goals in 31 appearances this term.
Darren Bent
Darren Bent
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 9
Games Goals YC RC
5 1 0 0
The Englishman scored the equaliser against Ipswich on his return to first-team action in the FA Cup, and Paul Lambert could hand him another start at Bradford to test his resolve. The striker may still be on his way during the January transfer window after falling out of favour but he remains a potent threat in front of goal.
Prediction
Villa's form has fluctuated wildly in all competitions recently, making this tie particularly tricky to predict. Paul Lambert's side also find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle in the Premier League, meaning changes are likely ahead of the trip to Bradford. The Bantams have proved themselves capable of causing a shock on several occasions this season, but the visitors' extra quality should tell on the night.
Editor's Prediction
Bradford 1
Aston Villa 2
Results
First Leg
Times In GMT
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Theo Walcott Theo Walcott
Striker
Arsenal 		5 0
Andreas Weimann Andreas Weimann
Striker
Aston Villa 		4 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		4 0
Jonathan De Guzmán Jonathan De Guzmán
Midfielder
Swansea City 		3 1
Luciano Becchio Luciano Becchio
Striker
Norwich City 		3 1

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