Wednesday’s Carling Cup action and Semi Final ties – WinkBall

Birmingham reign victorious in the midlands derby

Scenes of shock and controversy followed the Wednesday evening Carling Cup fixtures between Birmingham and Aston Villa, and Ipswich and West Brom.

The midlands derby was heavily marred by threatening scenes at the final whistle, as Birmingham fans stormed the pitch towards the away stand housing their Villa counterparts, while the claret and blue fans instigated more trouble by launching flares.

The violent scenes followed the rapture from Zigic’s 84th minute winner – a goal that saw the striker transformed from zero to ultimate hero. The Serb had been feeling the wrath of frustrated Blues fan, as he had turned in a lackluster performance for the previous 84-minutes, however his bundled-in close range, deflected, finish ensured his cult status. His performance, and unattractive shot, was irrelevant to Birmingham and their fans; all that mattered was victory over their rivals in this knock-out cup game.

The Blues got off to a good start, as Seb Larsson converted a penalty just 12-minutes in, following a Richard Dunne foul on Lee Bowyer. Villa seemed to be in the ascendency for long periods, but couldn’t make it count – despite grabbing a deserved equaliser from Agbonlahor before half time. The away team seemed unlucky to end the game on the losing side.

Ipswich progress to semi finals

Ipswich have made it through as surprise semi-finalists; the only remaining side to represent from below the Premier League. It put a temporary end to their poor form, and gave the supporters something positive to grasp on to after their morale-sapping loss in the East Anglian derby. Ipswich were deserved winners in the evenly balanced tie; hinted to in the fact that the goal came from the spot and not from open play. Both teams had their fair share of chances, but last-ditch defending and disappojnting finishing prevented either side taking the advantage. The penalty – converted by Leadbitter – was a result of Dorrans challenge on Carlos Edwards on the edge of the area – Edwards had surged past a hesistant Marek Cech, towards the box, but the foul was so borderline on the edge of the area that Dorrans protested it should have been a free kick.

SEMI FINAL TIES:

The Tractor Boys have drawn Arsenal, hosting the first leg; while West Ham will play Birmingham. The first legs take place at Portman Road and Upton Park respectively in the week commencing 10th January, before the second legs a fortnight later.

Wednesday Carling Cup Preview – WinkBall

With West Ham’s stonking victory over Man United last night, it proves that anything is possible in this season’s Carling Cup. Tonight’s big fixture is the midlands derby between Birmingham and Aston Villa at St Andrews, while Ipswich have the chance to overturn Premier League opposition when they host West Brom.

Blues boss Alex McLeish is expected to step up and introduce a stronger squad for this round, with Craig Gardener looking likely to feature against his old team after recovering from his ankle injury. The experienced Alex Hleb will be absent with a hamstring strain – though he was not selected to face Chelsea when fit, so has not been as influential to the team as he was anticpating when he arrived.

Craig Gardener may make his return

Aston Villa have their own trouble with absentees, as influential Stephen Ireland is missing with a sickness bug and Marc Albrighton is recovering from having his appendix removed. This is in addition to notable omissions: Nigel Reo-Coker, Steve Sidwell, Emile Heskey and Stiliyan Petrov. Because of this ever-growing list of injuries, Gerard Houllier is expected to field a younger team for tonight’s fixture – though they do have the boost of striker Gabriel Agbonlahor returning from illness. In spite of age and relative inexperience, Houllier is confident that his young stars can handle the derby cup tie.

Ipswich’s joy at reaching the quarter finals of this cup have been overshadowed by a recent run of poor results, with four consecutive league losses that includes the embarassing defeat to Norwich in the East Anglian derby. Ipswich have their fair share of injuries at the moment, with Luke Hyam, Tom Eastman, Gareth McAuley, Mark Kennedy and Connor Wickham all out, and goalkeeper Marton Fulop doubtful since picking up an ankle injury in the defeat to Norwich. Damien Delaney can’t be selected as he is banned.

Roy Keane's side have a tough job against West Brom

West Brom will travel down to Ipswich, buoyed by their emphatic 4-1 defeat of Everton in the league at the weekend. It follows a slightly disappointing winless run, but their impressive performance against teams like Man United and Arsenal this season shows Ipswich that they still have every reason to fret. West Brom also have a less severe list of injury worries, but still see Jonas Olsson and Ishmael Miller ruled out, and have to accomodate for Youssouf Mulumbu’s two-match ban which starts tonight.

Who are your favourites to progress tonight? Who do you want to go through – what ties do you want for the Semi’s and the Final? LET US KNOW, with a quick and easy wink ;)