United and Villa prepare for battle at Wembley

The first major silverware of the season is up for grabs on Sunday when Aston Villa take on Manchester United in the Carling Cup final.

The competition is seen as very much the FA Cup's poor relation and Arsene Wenger even went as far as to descibe it as a "non-trophy", although he is probably just bitter about the failure of his young team to develop after their defeat in the final of 2007.

Both Martin O'Neill and Alex Ferguson regard the pot as worth fighting for and will be determined that they are the ones going home with it on Sunday evening. Indeed, Ferguson has indicated that he has his eyes on another treble this season, while Villa are eyeing a domestic cup double.

There is also plenty of talk of this being a match up between the sourcerer and his apprentice. For years Martin O'Neill has been regarded as the heir apparent to Ferguson, and is being tipped to take over at Old Trafford one day.

Recently other names have come into contention for the United job, Pep Guardiola of Barcelona and Everton's David Moyes, but a win for Villa would give O'Neill's reputation a boost.

This will also be the 50th final in the competition's history and it has had its ups and downs over the years. It is now used by most teams as a way of blooding young talent - something that both Villa and United have plenty of.

Surprisingly it is Villa who have the pedigree in this competition. The Birmingham club were in the first final in 1961  and have won the competition five times and appeared in seven finals before this season. United have the same number of final appearances, but have only won three of them - although they are the holders after last season's penalty shoot-out success over Tottenham.

The philosophy of giving emerging players the chance to play in the Carling Cup presents the managers with a headache. Should they keep faith with the players who got them to Wembley, or bring in the big guns in order to secure the victory?

Ferguson must choose between three keepers. Usual United number one Edwin Van Der Sar played in the epic semi-finals against Manchester City but was not in the side on Tuesday night against West Ham. Tomasz Kuszczak played in the opening round against Wolves and the quarter-final victory over Tottenham, and Ben Foster was in goal against Barnsley - and was the hero last season when his saves won United the trophy in the penalty shoot out.

He will also have to make do without Brazilian Anderson, ruled out for the season with a cruciate injury, and his captain Rio Ferdinand, who is suffering more back problems. Ryan Giggs is also sidelined with a broken arm.

Ferguson acknowledges that United's biggest test was just getting to Wembley. "I don't think the final can reach the same level of emotion as the semi [against Man City]," acknowledged Ferguson. "But Wembley is an occasion.

"I hope we are involved in a Treble," he added.

Aston Villa are hoping that Stiliyan Petrov will be fit again after suffering a virus and missing the FA Cup win over Crystal Palace. ·