Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has revealed his pride at guiding his boyhood club to Wembley for the second season in a row.
A late winner from substitute Trezeguet sealed a 3-2 aggregate win over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final sealed their place at the national stadium in March. Talking to Sky Sports, Aston Villa gaffer said;
‘I let myself go with the goal, there was a bit of emotion from everybody when that goal went it and the place erupted,’
Villa won the trophy in 1996 and were runners-up in 2010, are likely to face Manchester City in the showpiece, with Pep Guardiola’s side holding a 3-1 aggregate lead over Manchester United ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
“To go and get the win at the death-like we did there – we had it last week against Watford in the last minute and we’ve had it again today.
“But to be taking this club to Wembley, we’ve got a great history and a proud history in this competition, and I’ll be a very proud man leading them out at Wembley.”
“Our goalkeeper made three great saves early, two low down and one tipped onto the crossbar,” said Smith. “But I thought we were aggressive as well and it was a good game of football with both teams trying to win it.
“We certainly are [making a habit of late wins] and it’s certainly a good time to score, because you can see from the eruption in the stadium that they know it’s very difficult to get back in it.
“I’m proud because the players were aggressive, had chances and created chances and made it a really tight game.”
On the other hand, Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers felt that Leicester City deserved to win the game. The manager was so disappointed as he felt that the penalty was denied in the first half. Talking to Sky Sports, Rodgers said;
“I thought we were excellent in the game. Their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves. We played with a nice control and composure in the game, created opportunities,”
“I thought we had a clear handball, it looked a definite penalty, so I’m just gutted for my players because they put so much into the game. Especially coming from behind, playing with that composure and scoring a very good goal.
