Manchester United beat Aston Villa by 2 - 1

Wayne Rooney was the Carling Cup final head boy as Manchester United came from behind to retain a knockout competition for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

After starting as a substitute, Rooney was only on the pitch because of an injury to Michael Owen, who had levelled James Milner's fourth-minute penalty.

He was not going to let that inconvenience stop him becoming the Wembley match-winner against Villa though and 16 minutes from time, Rooney got on the end of Antonio Valencia's cross and looped home yet another headed goal - his fifth in a row - to take his goal tally for the season to 28 and allow United to retain the trophy after a thrilling Wembley encounter Sir Alex Ferguson feared was not possible.