Unlikely hero gives Smith selection headache for final
Villa manager indebted to keeper Nyland’s saves Rodgers urges Leicester to use hurt as motivation
Dean Smith admitted goalkeeper Orjan Nyland is in contention to start at Wembley as the Aston Villa manager targets the sixth League Cup triumph in the club’s history.
Nyland was the unlikely hero on an emotionally charged evening, with three outstanding first-half saves to secure Villa their third visit to Wembley in as many years.
The Norway international has been second choice behind £8million summer signing Tom Heaton and now Pepe Reina, but produced an inspired performance as Brendan Rodgers suffered his first defeat in 33 domestic cup ties.
Trezeguet, a substitute, was the match-winner with a goal in added time, but it was Nyland whose display ultimately proved crucial, presenting Smith with a selection headache for March 1.
“He has certainly given me a conundrum, but they are the ones I want,” said the Villa head coach. “He showed me what he’s about. He’s been very unfortunate, he snapped his Achilles in the Championship last year and then when I brought in Tom Heaton he’s had to bide his time.
“Then unfortunately he came up against a very good Manchester City team and they scored six goals. But we are indebted to him, he made three wonderful saves and was really top drawer.
“This means an awful lot. We’ve got a proud history in this competition and if we could go and lift this trophy for the sixth time I’ll be a very proud man.
“We know it’s going to be tough against Manchester United or City, but the hard part is getting to a cup final and we’ve managed to do that against a very good Leicester team.”
Smith is a lifelong Villa supporter and defended the post-match scenes when there was a mass pitch invasion after the final whistle. Some Leicester players appeared to be confronted by fans on the pitch, but Rodgers insisted afterwards there had been no complaints in the dressing room.
Smith said: “There was an outpouring of emotion. I think I was on the pitch myself when we scored! It’s difficult not to. As long as they behave themselves it’s fine by me.
“I’m very proud of the players. The results and performances since Manchester City [when Villa were beaten 6-1] have been very good.
“The lads can learn an awful lot playing 180 minutes against the third-best team in the league this season, managing to beat them and go to Wembley.”
Leicester’s defeat was Rodgers’s first in domestic cup competitions since April 2015 and prevented the club from reaching their first cup final in 20 years.
Villa took the lead through Matt Targett before Kelechi Iheanacho equalised in the 72nd minute, but Trezeguet converted Ahmed Elmohamady’s cross to spark scenes of wild celebration.
Rodgers said: “I’m absolutely gutted for the players and desperately disappointed. I thought we were the better team over the two legs, but we switched off right at the end. With the goal coming so late we had no time to respond. Over the games we probably weren’t clinical enough.
“I’ve said to the players that this is what you need, you’re within touching distance of a cup final and this will increase your determination. You’ve been brilliant this season, but we can use this as a great motivation.
“The players are hurting, but that hurt will help us going forward. It’s tough to take, but congratulations to Villa and we have to move on.”
Rodgers also insisted Leicester should have been awarded a penalty in the first half for a suspected handball by Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba.
The incident was reviewed by the video assistant referee, but Villa escaped. Rodgers said: “It looked clear. His arm was clearly up. You saw the reaction of the players. When you see it on the replay, I don’t know how it wasn’t given.”
Leicester remain third in the Premier League and host fourth-placed Chelsea this weekend.