Carling Cup holders Manchester United will aim to retain the trophy against Aston Villa at Wembley today. Here Press Association Sport looks at the crucial encounters which could decide the outcome of the game

Carling Cup: The key battles

WAYNE ROONEY v RICHARD DUNNE
England striker Rooney is enjoying arguably his finest season to date and has scored 27 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils so far, revelling in his role as the team's star man following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Irish centre-back Dunne has been an excellent acquisition for Villa from Manchester City but he will need every ounce of experience and stamina to contain the hard-working and unpredictable Rooney.

DARREN FLETCHER v JAMES MILNER
Fletcher has developed into a key component of the United midfield and it is important he is able to influence the game more strongly than Stiliyan Petrov, if fit, and England man Milner. The former Leeds and Newcastle player has operated in a central midfield role for Villa since Stewart Downing's return to fitness in November and has looked no less effective in the new position.

JONNY EVANS v GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR
Northern Ireland international Evans is likely to be called on by Sir Alex Ferguson to hold the centre of United's defence together, with Rio Ferdinand definitely missing with a back injury and his usual partner Nemanja Vidic having struggled with a nerve problem for a number of months. Agbonlahor torments opposition defences with his electric pace and scored the winner when the sides met in the league in December.

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