Wayne Rooney on fire as he scored the winner for Manchester United in the Carling Cup final at Wembley against Aston Villa which saw United get the first domestic cup of the season.

Rooney came on as a substitute for the injured Michael Owen just before the half-time whistle after he was wrested.

Aston Villa had started on a high with James Milner converting a penalty on just 5 minutes after Nemanja Vidic’s foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

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Villa was furious with referee Phil Dowd for not sending off Vidic for the challenge that made the penalty and was further infuriated when Michael Owen scored after a Richard Dunne lost possession.

Michael Owens injury was no good news for Aston Villa after Rooney replaced him and carried on his devastating form.

Ji-Sung Park hit the woodwork before Rooney headed the ball by a Valencia cross on the 74th minute.

Rooney scored his 28th goal of the season and almost made it 29 but was prevented by the woodwork.

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Vidic was fortunate to see Emile Heskey’s header deflect off him on to the bar late on, but by that stage United were firmly in control and well on the way to victory.

It was a bitter disappointment for Villa, who started so promisingly, but they tired as the game wore on at Wembley and United ultimately deserved their triumph.

Ferguson decided to rest Rooney, who has been in devastating form, from his starting line-up and give Owen his opportunity in a Wembley final that was to drag the England striker from one end of the emotional scale to the other.
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