I’m going to leave this post open and at the top of the home page all the way up until we get the team news for the Carling Cup Final on Sunday. I’ll drop links to all the latest news and opinion that attracts my attention on the wires and feeds, with the most recent at the top. Feel free to draw my attention to anything I miss.

I’m not completely sure how I’m going to handle the match itself. I definitely want to do something on Twitter as usual, but I’m leaning towards also doing a live blog. On the other hand, both are distractions during a live game and this one’s a bit special. I’d like to enjoy it myself!! I’ll just play it by ear, but I’m definitely intending to get the best pictures uploaded via Twitter up for everyone to share.

OK, I’ve closed this thread and opened a Live Blog. Sorry for the lack of links today, but there’s been plenty of pics. Kick off just an hour away!! UTV!!

James Milner is tipped to be future England captain and interesting comparisons between James and Jonny Wilkinson. [The Guardian]

Sunday:This is it. This is the day we’ve all been looking forward to for so long. I’m up, I’m almost awake. A coffee or two and some breakfast and I’ll add some more links. I’ve a live blog coming up later, but I’ll probably just let Twitter automatically feed most of the content in. We’ll see how it goes. I’ve also updated a couple of new pics in the Wembley preparations gallery post, I’ll continue to update that post up to kick off.

I’ve come across this image which claims to be the cover of the Official Matchday Programme. There’s lots of things that put a question mark over that for me, but you’ll be finding out for yourselves very soon. [EDIT: Confirmed, this is the programme cover]

Not really Carling Cup news, but as Fabio Capello’s England squad to face Egypt was announced earlier today I figured it worth a mention. Stephen Warnock, James Milner, Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey have been called up, but no place for either Ashley Young or Gabby Agbonlahor. If either, or preferably both, would like to show Capello that he’s made a mistake, this game would be a good place to start!!

I have to rub my chin and wonder whether Fergie is being entirely honest when he suggests that he may rest Wayne Rooney for the final. Yeah, I don’t know about that one Mr Ferguson!! However, it’s worth watching the video towards the end to hear what Fergie thinks about Martin O’Neill and the side he’s built at Aston Villa. [BBC]

A hat-trick of great articles from The Guardian – firstly, we’re not just kidding ourselves; David Lacey describes the re-emergence of the League Cup as a competition worth paying attention to. [The Guardian] Secondly, Martin O’Neill reiterates the point in the face of recent disdain towards the Cup from Arsene Wenger. [The Guardian] And lastly, a great interview with Ashley Young where he discusses his recent return to form and his desire to play in every game.  In fact, the photo in the article seems to suggest that he doesn’t even want to let you play with his ball!! [The Guardian]

Dave Woodhall, editor of Heroes & Villains, answers some questions for Man Utd’s official site. [ManUtd.com]

Stewart Downing made the switch to Villa for European football, but after that was quashed, the Carling Cup final is making up for it, vindicating his move. [Sky Sports]

Saturday: Finally dragged myself out of bed after watching City beat Chelsea…. what hand shaking incident? Oh, that incident. (video) [Dirty Tackle]

Lots more news to catch up on shortly. Firstly, I’ve posted a gallery of some of the final preparations going on at Wembley today. [Aston Villa Central]

I’m glad football is a lot more professional these days. Back in 1994, Ron Atkinson had Stan Boardman with the team telling jokes over breakfast and on the bus on route to Wembley. And we still won. [BBC]

Man Utd haven’t won a final at the new Wembley without resorting to penalties and Alex Ferguson has confirmed that they’ve been practicing. [Goal]

John Carew feels he’s getting back on form that making a cup final is a useful confirmation for everyone at the clubs that they’re improving. [The Premier League]

The reason why you can expect plenty of news coming out of the Aston Villa camp is that the media have been given access to the players. Man Utd? Not so much. Still, it gives David McDonnell the opportunity to use the word ‘curmudgeon’, so it’s not all bad. [Daily Mirror]

Stephen Warnock warns Wayne Rooney that he’ll struggle to get much joy out of our defense and possibly gives away the team selection in the process. Not that MON is likely to shock anyone, it has to be said. [Sky Sports]

The Daily Mirror have a great photo gallery covering the 1994 League Cup 3-1 victory over Man Utd. The pics can be viewed in high resolution, but are heavily watermarked. I’m sure they won’t mind me borrowing a shot of the Utd fans cheering on Dean Saunders’ injury time penalty that killed off any hopes they held of getting a late equaliser. [Daily Mirror]

James Milner agrees, we can win this. [Goal]

Petrov again, this time recalling losing the UEFA Cup with Celtic in Seville and proclaiming that we’re in it to win it. [FIFA.com]

Chris Nee explains why the League Cup is still a big deal [Four Four Two]

Expect to hear plenty from Stiliyan Petrov as he’ll no doubt be doing a bunch of press conferences today along with MON. I expect all the players will do some press, but as the captain, that’s part of Stan’s job.

First up, Petrov says he wants to repay faith placed in him. [Football Fanhouse]