Villains plot revenge

Aston Villa host Leicester in the League Cup semi-final second-leg on Tuesday. Both sides have a great shot at some silverware but who will take advantage at Villa Park? Have a read of our preview here:

Dean Smith writing history

Local lad Dean Smith has done a tremendous job since taking charge of Aston Villa. The former Walsall boss has transformed the Villans in a short space of time to lead them back to the Premier League and although this season has not been easy, it is still good to see Villa Park hosting top-flight football again.

The club have not won a trophy since they lifted the League Cup in 1996 and now they have a great chance to do so again.

All that stands in their way are Leicester City, oh and the small matter of Manchester City (presuming they complete the job of seeing off Man Utd after winning the first-leg of their semi-final 3-1).

After drawing at Leicester’s King Power Stadium, Smith admitted his side weren’t great was content to have taken a result back to Villa Park.

"It should be a good second leg, all square and a boisterous crowd, a full house.

"I'm certainly content with a draw, just not the performance. We gave away a farcical goal. Ezri Konsa has got brain dazzled. A disappointing goal but it sums up some of our performance on the night. We did get in a lot of tackles and blocks."

Jack Grealish was excellent in the first-leg and he will be key again on Tuesday if Villa are to progress.

He has been directly involved in 12 goals (seven goals, five assists) in the Premier League for Villa this season and is becoming harder for Gareth Southgate to leave out of the England team.

To cap a great season

A trophy is all Leicester need to cap a great season especially if they end up, as you’d hope, securing a Champions League spot.

They have history in this competition themselves, last lifting the League Cup in 2000 and it would be a superb way to celebrate the job done by Brendan Rodgers. You feel they have a better shot at beating City (or United – it could happen) in the final but winning at Villa Park won’t be easy.

In the first-leg, Marcus Maddison was superb taking eight shots and creating more chances, more than any other player yet Villa defended well.

They will need to be more clinical on Tuesday in order to book their place in the final.

Aston Villa v Leicester betting tip

You know both sides will be going for it as they having nothing to lose with the league their priority so backing both teams to score at odds of 4/7 with Betway feels a decent shout in this one.

Bet Both teams to score on Betway