Aston Villa Can Take Heart from League Cup History

Aston Villa are facing a potential exit from the Capital One Cup at the semifinal stage to Bradford City from the fourth tier of English football.

The League Two side claimed a stunning 3-1 win over Paul Lambert's team in the first leg of their tie at Valley Parade.

Nahki Wells, Rory McArdle and Carl McHugh scored for the West Yorkshire minnows, while Andreas Weimann hit the only goal for the Premier League side.

Bradford have enjoyed a stunning run to the last four, conquering Premier League sides Arsenal and Wigan Athletic in previous rounds.

It was an awful night for Villa and manager Lambert, whose first season at the club is rapidly turning into a nightmare for the former Scotland midfielder.

Villa are a club synonymous with the League Cup. The team have won the trophy five times—a record shared with Liverpool until 2001.

If Lambert and his team are looking for a sliver of hope ahead of the second leg against Bradford on January 22, a quick history lesson may help to restore some positive thinking.

Aston Villa vs. Tranmere Rovers, 1994

Aston Villa were facing an awkward League Cup semifinal clash with then-Division One high-fliers Tranmere Rovers in 1994.

The Merseyside club were moving out of the shadow of local rivals Everton and Liverpool under manager Johnny King in the early 1990s, but eventually missed out three times on promotion to the Premier League in the playoffs.

Nevertheless, Tranmere appeared to be on course for Wembley when goals from Ian Nolan, Mark Hughes and John Aldridge gave the Prenton Park side a 3-0 lead.

However, Villa striker Dalian Atkinson regained a foothold on the tie for Ron Atkinson's team with a late goal, which would prove crucial.

In the second leg at Villa Park, the home side won 3-1 after 90 minutes with goals from Dean Saunders, Shaun Teale and striker Atkinson, while Aldridge scored from the penalty spot for Tranmere.

Villa reached the final in dramatic circumstances when Tranmere defender Nolan missed his spot-kick in the penalty shootout which followed a dramatic match.

Villa went on to win the trophy with Atkinson scoring the opener in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in the final.

Aston Villa vs. Chester City, 1975

Aston Villa were paired with Chester City in the 1974-75 League Cup semifinal draw after the Fourth Division side had swept reigning English champions Leeds United and Newcastle United in previous rounds.

Villa were then in the old Second Division, but their form in the league was good and they were considered strong favorites to progress at the expense of the Cheshire minnows.

Midfielder Bobby McDonald gave Villa the lead at Chester's Sealand Road ground, but the home side hit back through Terry Owen—Michael Owen's father.

Ray Graydon made it 2-1 to Villa, but Chester—who went out of business in 2010—refused to lie down. Gary Moore scored an equalizer for the Division Four side.

Two goals from Keith Leonard in the second leg appeared to have ended Chester's resistance, but they again proved their resilience when strikes from Stuart Mason and John James leveled the tie.

In the 80th minute, though, Villa striker Brian Little grabbed the winner as Ron Saunders' team went on to defeat Norwich in the final at Wembley.

Aston Villa vs. Manchester United, 1971

Aston Villa were drawn to face Manchester United in the 1970-71 League Cup semifinal, but this time it was the Midlands side who were the underdogs.

Villa were struggling in the third tier of the English game, while United had been European champions just three years earlier.

With former Scotland international Bruce Rioch in their ranks, Villa held United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in a shock result.

Worse was to follow for United in the second leg at Villa Park, where goals from Andy Lochhead and Pat McMahon saw the home side through—3-2 on aggregate.

Villa lost the final to Tottenham, but Paul Lambert's side can take heart from a historic display which overcame the odds.