League Cup: Behind the scenes at the final

11:15 Several hours before kick-off the match balls, which have been specially made to mark the 50th League Cup final, are pumped to exactly 12psi
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

11:30 Incessant rain in London has forced the officials at Wembley to cover the pitch with protective sheeting – a rare sight at the national stadium
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11:45 There have been some unforgettable moments in League Cup finals down the years – not least Dennis Tueart's match-winning overhead kick for Manchester City against Newcastle United in 1976, which has been voted the greatest of all in a poll of more than 20,000 fans. Tueart received a special award before the match in recognition of his goal
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12:30 A winner's medal is carefully burnished before kick-off. Villa are the second most successful club in the history of this competition with five wins to date; they're facing the holders and three-times winners Manchester United today
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12:45 In the Sky Sports studio, Jeff Stelling previews the match with pundits Jamie Redknapp and the former Villa and United striker Dwight Yorke
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13:00 Lunch is served to guests in the Great Hall
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13:30 Retiring Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney gives a speech prior to what will be his last final ...
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... to which Sir Bobby Charlton listens intently
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14:05 The official team-sheets are handed in and photocopied. Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey will spearhead Villa's attack, meanwhile Michael Owen will start for United at Wayne Rooney's expense
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14:15 Fans of both clubs are in vociferous mood as they stroll up Wembley Way
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14:50 United boss Alex Ferguson is interviewed before kick-off and explains why he's made seven changes to the side which beat West Ham 3-0 in the Premier League on Tuesday
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14:53 United's Michael Carrick limbers up in the tunnel
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14:54 The cup is brought onto the pitch by Private Dave Tatlock, who has defied medical experts by walking again despite having shrapnel lodged in his spine. Tatlock was caught in friendly fire in Afghanistan in July 2008
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14:55 The prize at stake is draped with ribbons of red, claret and blue. How apposite that the current holders and first ever winners should contest today's 50th final
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14:58 Despite his 27 goals this season, Rooney finds himself on the bench. But the England striker looks untroubled as he shares a joke with Ryan Giggs
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15:05 With just five minutes of the match gone, Agbonlahor's bedevilling pace leads Nemanja Vidic to bring him down in the penalty box. James Milner steps up to take the resulting penalty kick ...
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... and he scores! Villa have the lead with one of the quickest cup final goals in the tournament's history. Incidentally, the record is held by Jean Arne Riise whose strike against Chelsea in the 2005 final came after just 45 seconds
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15:13 But the Villa fans are soon silenced as Michael Owen levels the scores with an adroit finish in the 13th minute. Villa's Richard Dunne must take some of the blame, though, as his dawdling allowed Dimitar Berbatov to seize possession in the build-up
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Emile Heskey's looping header is safely gathered by United's goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak
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Dimitar Berbatov heads the ball as Stiliyan Petrov tumbles beneath him
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Berbatov and Petrov wait for treatment as referee Phil Dowd stands impatiently looking towards the touchline
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Villa manager Martin O'Neill, winner of the 1997 and 2000 League Cups with Leicester City, applauds his players
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Rafael trails Agbonlahor - the young Brazilian struggling to rival his fleet-footed opponent
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15:42 It's a disappointing end to what seemed a promising afternoon for Michael Owen. With England boss Fabio Capello watching from the stands, Owen had been in impressive form early on, but he limps off with a hamstring injury near the end of the first half and is replaced by Rooney
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Ji-Sung Park skips a challenge from Stewart Downing and Evra picks up the loose ball as both sides look to wrestle control in the second half
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James Milner thrashes a strike goalwards
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This match is heading for extra-time unless a breakthrough can be found ...
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16:29 ... and it's Rooney who provides that breakthrough with 16 minutes remaining. His tantalising header floats over the finger tips of Brad Friedel and into Villa's net
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16:29 Rooney, whose goal was created by a delightful cross from Antonio Valencia, is congratulated by Patrice Evra Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Villa are desperate for an equaliser, but United are happy to run down the clock Photograph: Tom Jenkins

After four minutes of injury time, United's fans are joyous as the referee blows the final whistle
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On hearing the peep of the whistle, Maria Lavery of the Football League removes the claret and blue ribbons from the trophy
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16:55 Villa's dejected centre back James Collins wipes his face after collecting his loser's medal
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17:00 Patrice Evra lifts the trophy as United become only the third team ever to retain the League Cup
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Evra is doused with champagne as United celebrate their win Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Alex Ferguson looks thrilled, clasping his 34th trophy in 24 years as United's boss
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Streamers trail across the floor as Rooney, the protagonist of United's victory, leaves the field Photograph: Tom Jenkins

O'Neill talks to the media afterwards and questions why Vidic was allowed to stay on the field after giving away the early penalty. "It does not matter if it is in the first second or the 89th minute of the game, the decision is straightforward. It is so straightforward it is incredible," he says.
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Prince William, an ardent Villa fan, is able to laugh off the defeat. It's been 14 years since Villa won silverware - William was just 13 at the time
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United's dressing room is left in a mess with beer cans and loo rolls strewn about the place after the team have departed Wembley with the League Cup trophy.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins