Villa beaten by Manchester United in the League Cup final

Aston Villa's hopes of winning their first major trophy in 14 years were ended by a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the League Cup final at Wembley on 28 February.

Villa took the lead in the fifth minute through a James Milner penalty, but Michael Owen equalised seven minutes later, and Wayne Rooney, who came on for the injured Owen shortly before half-time, headed the winner with 16 minutes left.

A controversial penalty

Villa's early goal came after Gabriel Agbonlahor was brought down in the area by Nemanja Vidić. Milner scored from the spot, but many at Wembley felt Vidić should have been sent off for the foul, and Villa manager Martin O'Neill was left frustrated that he stayed on the pitch.

United retain the cup

The win gives United their fourth League Cup and makes them the first team to retain the trophy since Nottingham Forest in 1990. United had beaten Tottenham Hotspur on penalties in last year's final.

A good record against United

Villa went into the game with good reason to be confident. They have beaten United 1-0 at Old Trafford in the league this season, in December, and held them to a draw at Villa Park three weeks before the final. They also beat United 3-1 in the 1994 League Cup final.

Villa have won the League Cup five times, most recently in 1996, when they beat Leeds United 3-0.

O'Neill's progress

Under Martin O'Neill, appointed in 2006, Villa have become one of the leading contenders for a Champions League place. They finished sixth in each of the last two seasons and are again pushing for the top four this season. They are also still in the FA Cup, and face Reading in the quarter-finals.

Owner Randy Lerner has invested heavily in the squad, and players such as Milner, Ashley Young and Agbonlahor have become England internationals.

Europe still possible

The defeat means Villa miss out on the Europa League place that goes to the League Cup winners, but they can still qualify through their league position.

A proud day despite defeat

Tens of thousands of Villa supporters travelled to Wembley for the club's first major final since the 2000 FA Cup final, when they lost to Chelsea. Many will feel the team deserved more from a match in which they matched the Premier League champions for long periods.

For O'Neill and his players, the challenge now is to pick themselves up for the final months of the season, with a place in the Champions League and an FA Cup run still to play for.