Vidic claims Ref got it right

Nemanja Vidic claimed ref Phil Dowd was right not to send him off as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 2-1 in Sunday's Carling Cup final at Wembley.

Vidic hauled down Gabriel Agbonlahor inside the opening five minutes and though Dowd awarded a penalty which James Milner duly converted, he didn't even book Vidic for the offence.

The Serbian was later booked for a foul on Agbonlahor but played the entire 90 minutes as United recovered to win 2-1 with goals from Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.

Afterwards Vidic claimed the official had got it right, saying: "I can react better but Agbonlahor did well.

"I don't think it was a red card because I got in front of him, not behind. If I had got behind then yes.

"It's always nice to win big games but it was hard. They played with two forwards but I thought we deserved it."

Villa defender Richard Dunne refused to blame the decision for his side's defeat.

"It's very disappointing but we gave it a good go," he said.

"It was a great start, that was what we wanted to do - to get in front and try and hold on. But I made a mistake and after that it was tough. Unfortunately it wasn't our day."

On the possible sending-off, he added: "Possibly, but the game went on and it was an even game all the way through.

"They got a man sent off at Villa Park and it didn't make any difference. It was probably better to play against 11, it made it more enjoyable."