English League Cup final player ratings

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LONDON, Feb 28, 2010 (AFP) - Player ratings out of 10 for Sunday's English League Cup final between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Wembley:

Aston Villa

Brad Friedel 7 - The American goalkeeper had no chance with United's equaliser but made a superb one-handed save to deny Michael Carrick early in the second half.

Carlos Cuellar 6 - Rarely ventured over the half-way line, but the Spanish right-back defended well and cleared off the line after Park Ji-Sung's shot hit a post.

James Collins 5 - The towering centre-back was booked in the first half for halting a dangerous run by Michael Owen with a lunging foul.

Richard Dunne 5 - Usually Villa's most dominant defender, the Irishman was uncharacteristically caught off guard by Dimitar Berbatov in the build-up to United's equaliser.

Stephen Warnock 6 - With England coach Fabio Capello watching from the stands, the left-back was able to keep Antonio Valencia in check for long periods, although he allowed the winger to skin him on one occasion.

Ashley Young 5 - The England winger promised more than he actually delivered with an erratic display marred by poor crossing and bad decision making at key moments.

Stiliyan Petrov 5 - After shaking off a virus in time to lead out Villa, the Bulgarian never looked at his best but competed well enough to ensure his team kept a foot-hold in midfield.

James Milner 7 - The England winger calmly stroked home Villa's early penalty, drew a fine save from Kuszczak soon after and performed well in his new central midfield role.

Stewart Downing 5 - Deployed at various times on the left and wing flanks, the England international was unable to get to grips with either role.

Gabriel Agbonlahor 6 - Showed superb strength and pace to get ahead of Nemanja Vidic and win Villa's penalty but gradually faded after that.

Emile Heskey 5 - Still regarded as the first-choice partner for Wayne Rooney on England duty but it is hard to see why after another tepid display from the targetman.

Substitutes:

John Carew 5 - The big Norway striker was sent on to salvage an equaliser in the closing stages but never got a clear sight of goal.

Manchester United

Tomasz Kuszczak 6 - The Polish goalkeeper got the nod ahead of Edwin van der Sar and Ben Foster and gave a solid display which included a good first half stop from James Milner.

Rafael da Silva 6 - The young Brazilian right-back gave a combative performance before a nasty slip forced him off injured midway through the second half.

Nemanja Vidic 5 - The Serbian was fortunate to avoid a red card after conceding a third minute penalty for a crude foul on Agbonlahor.

Jonny Evans 6 - After struggling against AC Milan recently, the Northern Ireland centre-back looked far more composed on the big occasion this time and smothered Emile Heskey completely.

Patrice Evra 6 - Handed the captain's armband for the final and worked hard to stifle Milner and Young and bore a broad smile on his face as he lifted the trophy.

Antonio Valencia 6 - Provided superbly-weighted cross that set up Rooney for the winner and produced a blistering run that left Warnock on the turf.

Darren Fletcher 7 - Now well established as United's driving force in midfield, the Scotland international gave his usual quietly efficient performance.

Michael Carrick 7 - Unlucky not to score when his powerful strike was turned away by Friedel and, as ever, gave United an intelligent presence in midfield.

Park Ji-Sung 7 - The South Korea midfielder gave a typically energetic display and unlucky not to score in the first half when his shot cannoned back off a post.

Dimitar Berbatov 8 - Often castigated for his perceived lack of effort, the Bulgarian forward showed tremendous determination to steal the ball from Richard Dunne in the build-up to Michael Owen's goal and then provided a superb back-heel before Rooney's winner.

Michael Owen 7 - The striker's day started perfectly as his predatory finish drew United level in 13th minute but his first cup final goal since 2003 was the prelude to yet another hamstring injury which forced him off before half-time.

Substitutes:

Wayne Rooney 8 - On for Owen late in the first half, the England forward bagged the winner in the 74th minute as he looped in the latest in a recent run of impressive headed goals.

Gary Neville 5 - The veteran right-back came on in the 66th minute for the injured Rafael and battled well as Villa piled forward in the closing stages.

Darron Gibson 5 - Sent on for Park in the last minutes, the young midfielder wasn't on long enough to make his mark.