League Cup: Behind the scenes at the final

11:15 Several hours before kick-off the match balls, which have been specially made to mark the 50th League Cup final, are pumped to exactly 12psi Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: Tom Jenkins/guardian.co.uk 11:30 Incessant rain in London has forced the officials at Wembley to cover the pitch with protective sheeting – a rare sight at the national stadium Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 11:45 There have been some unforgettable moments in League Cup finals down the years – not least Dennis Tueart's match-winning overhead kick for Manchester City against Newcastle United in 1976, which has been voted the greatest of all in a poll of more than 20,000 fans. Tueart received a special award before the match in recognition of his goal Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 12:30 A winner's medal is carefully burnished before kick-off. Villa are the second most successful club in the history of this competition with five wins to date; they're facing the holders and three-times winners Manchester United today Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 12:45 In the Sky Sports studio, Jeff Stelling previews the match with pundits Jamie Redknapp and the former Villa and United striker Dwight Yorke Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 13:00 Lunch is served to guests in the Great Hall Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 13:30 Retiring Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney gives a speech prior to what will be his last final ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk ... to which Sir Bobby Charlton listens intently Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 14:05 The official team-sheets are handed in and photocopied. Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey will spearhead Villa's attack, meanwhile Michael Owen will start for United at Wayne Rooney's expense Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 14:15 Fans of both clubs are in vociferous mood as they stroll up Wembley Way Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 14:50 United boss Alex Ferguson is interviewed before kick-off and explains why he's made seven changes to the side which beat West Ham 3-0 in the Premier League on Tuesday Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 14:53 United's Michael Carrick limbers up in the tunnel Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 14:54 The cup is brought onto the pitch by Private Dave Tatlock, who has defied medical experts by walking again despite having shrapnel lodged in his spine. Tatlock was caught in friendly fire in Afghanistan in July 2008 Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 14:55 The prize at stake is draped with ribbons of red, claret and blue. How apposite that the current holders and first ever winners should contest today's 50th final Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 14:58 Despite his 27 goals this season, Rooney finds himself on the bench. But the England striker looks untroubled as he shares a joke with Ryan Giggs Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 15:05 With just five minutes of the match gone, Agbonlahor's bedevilling pace leads Nemanja Vidic to bring him down in the penalty box. James Milner steps up to take the resulting penalty kick ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk ... and he scores! Villa have the lead with one of the quickest cup final goals in the tournament's history. Incidentally, the record is held by Jean Arne Riise whose strike against Chelsea in the 2005 final came after just 45 seconds Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 15:13 But the Villa fans are soon silenced as Michael Owen levels the scores with an adroit finish in the 13th minute. Villa's Richard Dunne must take some of the blame, though, as his dawdling allowed Dimitar Berbatov to seize possession in the build-up Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Emile Heskey's looping header is safely gathered by United's goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Dimitar Berbatov heads the ball as Stiliyan Petrov tumbles beneath him Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Berbatov and Petrov wait for treatment as referee Phil Dowd stands impatiently looking towards the touchline Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Villa manager Martin O'Neill, winner of the 1997 and 2000 League Cups with Leicester City, applauds his players Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Rafael trails Agbonlahor - the young Brazilian struggling to rival his fleet-footed opponent Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 15:42 It's a disappointing end to what seemed a promising afternoon for Michael Owen. With England boss Fabio Capello watching from the stands, Owen had been in impressive form early on, but he limps off with a hamstring injury near the end of the first half and is replaced by Rooney Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Ji-Sung Park skips a challenge from Stewart Downing and Evra picks up the loose ball as both sides look to wrestle control in the second half Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk James Milner thrashes a strike goalwards Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk This match is heading for extra-time unless a breakthrough can be found ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 16:29 ... and it's Rooney who provides that breakthrough with 16 minutes remaining. His tantalising header floats over the finger tips of Brad Friedel and into Villa's net Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 16:29 Rooney, whose goal was created by a delightful cross from Antonio Valencia, is congratulated by Patrice Evra Photograph: Tom Jenkins Villa are desperate for an equaliser, but United are happy to run down the clock Photograph: Tom Jenkins After four minutes of injury time, United's fans are joyous as the referee blows the final whistle Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk On hearing the peep of the whistle, Maria Lavery of the Football League removes the claret and blue ribbons from the trophy Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 16:55 Villa's dejected centre back James Collins wipes his face after collecting his loser's medal Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 17:00 Patrice Evra lifts the trophy as United become only the third team ever to retain the League Cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Evra is doused with champagne as United celebrate their win Photograph: Tom Jenkins Alex Ferguson looks thrilled, clasping his 34th trophy in 24 years as United's boss Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Streamers trail across the floor as Rooney, the protagonist of United's victory, leaves the field Photograph: Tom Jenkins O'Neill talks to the media afterwards and questions why Vidic was allowed to stay on the field after giving away the early penalty. "It does not matter if it is in the first second or the 89th minute of the game, the decision is straightforward. It is so straightforward it is incredible," he says. Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Prince William, an ardent Villa fan, is able to laugh off the defeat. It's been 14 years since Villa won silverware - William was just 13 at the time Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins Photograph: Tom Jenkins/guardian.co.uk United's dressing room is left in a mess with beer cans and loo rolls strewn about the place after the team have departed Wembley with the League Cup trophy. Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk