Bradford became the first fourth-tier side in over 50 years to reach the League Cup final as they secured a 4-3 aggregate victory over Premier League side Aston Villa. The Bantams lost the second leg 2-1 but they will go through thanks to the 3-1 first leg victory. Phil Parkinson's League Two side will face either Swansea City or Chelsea on 24 February in the Capital One Cup final.
Christian Benteke's first-half goal put Villa ahead at half time but James Hanson made it all square 10 minutes after the break. Hanson then missed a great chance and substitute Garry Thompson was denied by the woodwork before Andreas Weimann scored a late goal to give Aston Villa some hope. Bradford survived the four minutes of added time though to book their place in the big final. Bradford have knocked out three Premier League sides en route to the final: Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Villa.
Gabriel Agbonlahor had the first chance of the match, saved by Duke, before Benteke broke through on 24 minutes when he flicked Bennett's cross past the goalkeeper. Duke had some work to do as he pulled off two good saves on N'Zogbia and Steven Ireland while Bradford's only chance before half time was a long range effort from Nahki Wells.
And Bradford struck on a corner kick 10 minutes after the break as Hanson powered a header past Shay Given. Villa tried to react but it was Hanson who had another chance but he headed poorly from just six yards out. Bradford came even closer on 72 minutes when substitute Thomson rattled the crossbar. Weimann scored late for Aston Villa but it was too late to matter.
The second finalist will be decided today as Chelsea visit Swansea hoping to overcome the two-goal deficit from the first leg. Here are the odds for the match from Bet365:
Swansea win - 7/2
Draw - 3/1
Chelsea win - 4/5
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