Cup win would ease the pain for Dunne

SOCCER ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL: Blackburn Rovers v Aston VillaRICHARD DUNNE believes winning the League Cup with Aston Villa this year would help to compensate for the Republic of Ireland's controversial World Cup play-off defeat against France and also provide him with a sense of fulfilment in a career that has so far delivered riches but no silverware.

The central defender has made close to 450 appearances for Manchester City, Everton and now Villa, but tonight will be the first time he has played in a semi-final, prompting him to describe the first leg against Blackburn Rovers as “the biggest club game of my career”. Dunne believes the tie offers an opportunity to move a step closer to winning the trophy that he claims would bring him greater long-term satisfaction than any financial rewards.

“Every footballer in the Premier League will more or less finish his career having enough money and be financially happy and pleased but whether they’re fulfilled career-wise is different,” said Dunne, who was an apprentice at Goodison Park when Everton beat Manchester United in the 1995 FA Cup final.

“For players to feel fulfilled, you have to have actual silverware to look back on. That’s where your memories are. You keep your medals for ever.”

Dunne admitted that success with Villa this season would also help to ease the pain of that raucous night in Paris in November when France triumphed after Thierry Henry’s handball went unpunished. “If I can finish the season and we’ve done well in the league and manage to win a trophy, I think I could say it’s been successful. The World Cup will be one disappointment in it but anyone who finishes this season with a trophy has to be happy.”

The 30-year-old has, however, urged his team-mates “not to get sidetracked by looking too far ahead”.

He claimed that he has not given a second’s thought to the prospect of facing his former club, City, in the final. “My focus is on Aston Villa and beating whoever we come up against. Whether that’s Manchester City or Manchester United, it’s not important.”

Dunne sat out the FA Cup victory over Blackburn on Saturday, when Martin O’Neill rested several first-team players, but he will return to what the manager hopes will be a full-strength Villa side tonight. O’Neill’s only concern surrounds the availability of James Milner, who is suffering from a bruised foot.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has challenged Benni McCarthy to shrug off his frustration and steer Blackburn to the final. The South Africa international striker is keen to move on as he does not feel that in World Cup year he is playing enough football.

The 32-year-old has made only nine starts for the club in the Premier League and League Cup this season and his business manager Rob Moore claims there has been interest in the player from a number of clubs.

However, McCarthy looks set to return to the side against Villa after finding the target in the victory over Chelsea in the last round.

While Allardyce admits he would love to keep McCarthy, who marked his debut season in England in 2006-07 with 24 goals, he will listen to offers for the player.

“I know and Benni knows why he is not playing as much but that is a confidential matter between the two of us, ” said the Blackburn boss.

“It really lies in his hands, not mine if he wants to play more. If he puts that right he could play a major part here and help us win a cup then go on to the World Cup.

“We want to see him playing to his best every week. He has been frustrated by his lack of playing time. So he wants to leave.

“But that would depend on how much a club is prepared to pay before we would think about letting one of our major scorers go.

“I have had no offers for him and as it is he is a Blackburn player. I know when he goes out on the field, especially at Ewood Park, generally we get his best performances there.”

GuardianService