Despite taking the lead after just 5 minutes, Aston Villa lost the 2010 League Cup final to Manchester United.
Situated in the bottom half of the Championship table, Aston Villa’s current predicament is a far cry from the one they found themselves in the 2009/10 season. The Villans finished 6th that season, whilst playing European football, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals and a League Cup final, recording their third consecutive top six finish in the top flight.
That Villa team, marshalled by Martin O’Neill, boasted the likes of Ashley Young, James Milner and Stewart Downing, all of whom went on to make big money moves to Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool respectively. In the end, the final at Wembley proved a step too far for Villa, who were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United, courtesy of goals by Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.
Seven years on, only one man from Villa’s 2009/10 squad is still at the club, now managed by Steve Bruce. The others have gone on to a variety of new roles, with some still Premier League regulars and others now out of the game altogether. Find out what Villa’s 2010 League Cup finalists are up to now here:
Brad Friedel
Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel
Aston Villa’s number one for three years, playing every single league game during his time at Villa Park, Brad Friedel is the oldest player to ever feature for both Villa and Tottenham. He left Birmingham in 2011 to join Spurs, before retiring in 2015. He now works as the United States U19’s Head Coach and as a pundit.
Carlos Cuellar
An arrival from Rangers in the summer of 2008, Carlos Cuellar went on to spend 4 years at Villa Park. Most comfortable operating a centre-back, the uncapped Spaniard played as a right-back in the 2010 final. Aged 35, Cuellar is currently playing his club football in Israel for Maccabi Petah Tikva FC.
James Collins
James Collins blocks a shot by Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2016
Still a Premier League regular, James Collins left West Ham United for Aston Villa and rejoined the Hammers upon his departure from Villa Park. The Welsh international is 33 now but still a capable defender in the top flight who had an impressive campaign in 2015-16.
Richard Dunne
The proud holder of two Premier League records; most red cards and most own goals, Richard Dunne spent 9 years at Manchester City, followed by 4 years with Aston Villa. Capped 80 times by the Republic of Ireland, Dunne retired in 2015, and currently lives with his family in Monte Carlo.
Stephen Warnock
Ex-England international Stephen Warnock
Capped twice by the English national team, Stephen Warnock has spent the majority of his career in the Premier League, playing for the likes of Liverpool, Blackburn and Villa. Aged 35, the left-back won promotion with Wigan last season and is now playing for the Latics in the Championship.
Ashley Young
Ashley Young spent more than four fantastic seasons at Villa Park, twice being named in the PFA Team of the Year and winning the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2009, with Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo the two players to have won the award before him. Young joined Manchester United in 2011 and he is still with the Red Devils.
James Milner
Liverpool’s designated penalty taker James Milner
Like Ashley Young, James Milner spent a few seasons making a big impression at Aston Villa before heading to Manchester. The midfielder has gone on to have a solid if not spectacular career, often being shifted around at both Manchester City and Liverpool but always putting in a good shift. He currently plays most of his football at left-back under Jurgen Klopp.
Stan Petrov
Aston Villa’s captain as they went down valiantly to Manchester United in the 2010 League Cup final at Wembley, Stan Petrov was a huge fan favourite at both Celtic and Villa. The Bulgarian’s battle with cancer since then has been well-documented, and everyone in football is delighted to see Stan seemingly back fit and healthy. He unfortunately didn’t do enough during the last pre-season under Roberto Di Matteo to convince the ex-Villa boss he deserved a deal at the club.
Stewart Downing
Stewart Downing could be on the move again this January
Stewart Downing was signed by Aston Villa in 2009, and the Villans doubled their money when they sold him two years later to Liverpool. Capped 35 time by England, Downing now plays for boyhood club Middlesbrough, but has been linked with a move away this January.
Gabby Agbonlahor
The only man in Aston Villa’s 2010 League Cup final match day squad that is still at the club is Gabby Agbonlahor, although some people may wonder why, after a return of just 11 league goals since the end of the 2012/13 season. The pacy forward was in great form back in 2010 though, bagging 16 goals in all competitions during the 2009/10 season.
Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey most recently played for Bolton Wanderers
Former England international Emile Heskey was never the most prolific, a criticism which he has been severely beaten with over the years, but he often brought out the best in his strike partners. It was a similar story at Aston Villa where the forward spent four years. Now aged 39, Heskey has been without a club since leaving Bolton in 2016, and reportedly turned down Hibs in the summer.
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