Villains hungry for cup success

Sports and Showbiz Betting: FOR Manchester United, it’s almost another day at the office.

But for Aston Villa, Sunday’s Carling Cup final at Wembley provides a huge chance to break back into the big time following years in the soccer wilderness.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United have won everything the game has to offer and, even though Carling Cup success is not to be sniffed at, the Reds have much bigger fish to fry this season.

Villa, on the other hand, have had little to shout about since they won this competition in 1996.

On the fringes of a top-four place in the Premier League, the Villains are a potent force under the expert guidance of Martin O’Neill.

So if hunger, desire and force of will is anything to go by, Villa should have the edge in Sunday’s showdown which is being shown live on BBC1.

The sides have met twice in the league this season, Villa winning 1-0 at Old Trafford in the autumn and the teams sharing the points in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park last month.

Despite having Nani sent off, the Reds dominated that game and, predictably, the bookies have them as hot favourites to win at Wembley.

United are a best-priced 10-11 to triumph in 90 minutes, with Villa at 7-2 and the draw rated a 5-2 chance.

I expect this game to be a cagey affair, with Villa keeping it tight at the back and attempting to utilise their abundant pace on the break.

In a final which does not appeal too much as a betting medium, I will be having a small wager on Gabriel Agbonlahor to be first goalscorer.

The Villa striker has speed to burn and, as United’s array of centre backs are vulnerable for one reason or another at the moment, he could well be the player to cash in.

At 8-1, he is certainly worth a small bet.


HOW heart-warming it was to see two Englishmen contest the final of the Accenture World Matchplay at the weekend.

Ian Poulter finally fulfilled his potential by beating Paul Casey and the new world number five will be fancying his chances again in the Waste Management Phoenix Open which gets under way in Scottsdale, Arizona, tomorrow.

Poults, rated a 6-1 chance by Boylesports to land a Major this season, is the 22-1 fourth favourite to win this weekend, behind Phil Mickelson (8-1), Geoff Ogilvy (18-1) and Martin Kaymer (20-1).

If in the sort of form he showed in Tucson, Poulter will be a strong contender, but there is bound to be some sort of reaction after the euphoria of winning a world championship event and I prefer to look elsewhere for the winner.

Two players who played well in the matchplay tournament were Camilo Villegas and Nick Watney, both of whom are 33-1 for the Scottsdale tournament. I suggest you back both each-way.


ENGLAND’S cricketers performed with credit in their two Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan and victory in the 50-over format against Bangladesh on Sunday looks something of a formality.
Our lads are 1-5 to come out on top, with the hosts 7-2.


DESPITE his Best Actor award in the Baftas, Britain’s Colin Firth can be backed at 18-1 for a repeat accolade in the Oscars ceremony on Sunday, March 7.

Jeff Bridges is 1-5 to win the award for his role in Crazy Heart, with George Clooney (Up In The Air) second-best at 10-1.

Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side) is 4-6 to receive an Oscar for best actress, while Britain’s Carey Mulligan - who won a Bafta for her role in An Education - is 10-1 for further recognition.

To the surprise of many, The Hurt Locker beat Avatar in the Bafta Best Film category and the bookies expect the same in the Oscars ceremony.

The Iraq War drama is 10-11 to win the accolade, with Avatar second-best at 6-5. It’s 16-1 bar two.


RECOMMENDATIONS: Gabriel Agbonlahor to score first goal in Carling Cup final, 8-1 (general); Camilo Villegas, e.w (first five), WM Phoenix Open, 33-1 (Boylesports, Ladbrokes, Hills), Nick Watney, e.w, 33-1 (general).

EOIN Morgan was this column’s 13-2 winning selection to be top batsman in the first Twenty20 international against Pakistan.