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Bradford City to face Aston Villa in Capital One Cup semi-final

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments135

Bradford City

Bradford's reward for is a semi-final against Aston Villa, while Chelsea will take on Swansea.

League Two Bradford will play the first leg of their semi-final at home against five-time winners Villa.

Chelsea, who to progress, will play their opening leg at Stamford Bridge.

The first matches will be played in the week starting 7 January and the second legs a fortnight later.

The Bantams pulled off one of the biggest League Cup shocks by beating Premier League side Arsenal on penalties at Valley Parade last week.

Villa and are currently unbeaten in six matches in all competitions.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez is expecting a tough test against Swansea, who are 10th in the Premier League and drew 1-1 with the Blues in November.

"Swansea are a good team and we have to do well in a semi-final of any competition," said Benitez. "They like to play football on the floor and it will be interesting.

"Every competition is important for us; a top side has to try to win every competition and now we are in the semi-finals so we are close to winning."

Capital One Cup semi-final draw:

Chelsea v Swansea

Bradford v Aston Villa

Ties to be played weeks commencing 7 & 21 and January

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135 comments

  • Comment posted by padamantop, at 22:42 19 Dec 2012

    Phew, the easiest possible fixture......

    Bradford fans must be relieved

  • Comment posted by User0790625099, at 23:03 19 Dec 2012

    @1 Arsenal, you could have had Villa. If you'd been bothered.

  • Comment posted by User0161887343, at 08:59 20 Dec 2012

    As a City fan we have already won the cup, 1 million in the bank for a 4th tier club is more than we could have wished for this season! To play villa over 2 legs is brilliant, a club with the same values as city and the same respect and following.
    Win or lose city will give villa two exiting games and a great occasion!

  • Comment posted by The Realist, at 12:26 20 Dec 2012

    My goodness, the BBC remembered that Swansea, Villa and Bradford were in the League Cup. You'd have sworn they didn't know this with all the news being about Chelsea and Arsenal.

  • Comment posted by Chelsea1, at 22:44 19 Dec 2012

    I have a feeling Aston Villa might be too strong for Bradford City. Should be a good game between Chelsea and Swansea.

  • Comment posted by User0461604041, at 23:31 19 Dec 2012

    Would love to see a Bradford-Swansea League Cup Final. Up the underdogs!

  • Comment posted by JohnS, at 11:33 20 Dec 2012

    @78 - Same here. I do so hope Chelsea win the cup. Has been a long, long trophyless spell for the club and I wish them well in winning their first trophy for 78 years and end the pain of their suffering fans.

    I'm joking btw.

    101 years for Bradford is it? Swansea, I don't think have ever won a major trophy? Please let the final be between these two clubs.

  • Comment posted by Fatlad, at 09:14 20 Dec 2012

    Bradford have effectively already won this cup, 'The Football League Cup' as we're the only football league team left!

    Seriously though the money we'll make from the semis is worth more to us in the long run than even winning the cup would be

  • Comment posted by User0667510458, at 23:26 19 Dec 2012

    As a Villa fan, I hope we don't underestimate Bradford, but over 2 legs there really should be no excuses.
    Would love to see Stan Petrov lift the trophy at Wembley, would be a great moment not only for Villa but for football. Fingers crossed its our year.

  • Comment posted by User0064688339, at 10:40 20 Dec 2012

    Crazy that Bradford are now considered the minnows of the draw when just a few years ago, they were in the Premier League and Swansea were struggling at the bottom of the fourth tier. Respect to both for what they've achieved.

  • Comment posted by glenn-quagmire, at 23:38 19 Dec 2012

    Torres again proves what a decent team Chelsea could be with an effective striker. He was pretty awful against Leeds and four different goal scorers before him means he puts pressure on every one else. Players need to trust their main striker to take chances just like they need to trust the keeper. Torres is very weak at times

  • Comment posted by Owain ap Gruffudd, at 11:42 20 Dec 2012

    @84 Totally agree, would be great to have a Bradford Swansea final. I think megabucks Chelsea and Villa have their fair share if silverware past and present.

    Long time since Bradford won anything, and Swansea have not won a major trophy ever.

  • Comment posted by Prit Ch, at 23:02 19 Dec 2012

    Come on Villa, let's get something from this season.

  • Comment posted by Beagrie07, at 22:55 19 Dec 2012

    I was there for the 6-4 win at Villa Park and even got on that pitch after. Amazing night for Villa and this time, it must happen again. Fair play to Bradford for getting this far but we have unfinished business.

  • Comment posted by User0303036134, at 08:56 20 Dec 2012

    Notice how some on here say not a good cup competition - must be ManU or ManC fans as they are no longer in with a chance

  • Comment posted by User0572718266, at 22:42 19 Dec 2012

    Real chance of Europe next season for Villa now.

    Would be great for the fans after the indifference of the last couple of seasons...

  • Comment posted by JAZZA_1995, at 22:40 19 Dec 2012

    Difficult games for all the teams involved, the home games are key if Bradford keep win at home they can defend at Villa Park. But if Bradford draw or lose at home they are out, no matter what.

    If Swansea can nick a draw or even a win at Stamford Bridge then they can beat Chelsea at home. But even if Swansea lose they could still beat Chelsea.

    Interesting to see who's in the final.

  • Comment posted by User0640057100, at 13:51 20 Dec 2012

    Can I just urge a note of caution here chaps. If we do squeeze past Bradford in the semi (and we won't be battering them because this is the greatest day in their history, and a chance for them to be remembered by everybody for something other than the fire), if we do meet Chelski in the final, what I and all Villa fans know is that the bloke with the whistle may as well have Samsung on his chest

  • Comment posted by User0150001548, at 22:55 19 Dec 2012

    @10 It's over two legs.

  • Comment posted by User0723408822, at 14:15 20 Dec 2012

    Kaiser,@80,referring to @70.

    "no doubt a comment made by a less than bright Cardiff fan".

    Is there any other type?

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