For Aston Villa fans, witnessing their team win the League Cup could be one of their greatest days out in the modern era. A trip to Wembley may not be the holy grail it once was, but it shouldn't be taken for granted either. And, not to make things awkward, but if they win it, Villa will be allowed to play in a UEFA competition next season...As such, tickets for the Carabao Cup final are gold dust right now - for Villa fans, anyway.Manchester City, meanwhile, are struggling to sell out their allocation. It's currently expected that there will be empty seats in the City end of the national stadium.

With season-ticket holders and members evidently unmoved, the club have taken the unusual step of allowing anyone who has ever attended a game at the Etihad to buy up to three tickets in the hope that they will finally shift them. 

That prompted widespread mocking from rival fans - but it also inspired a genius idea. 

Twitter user @VillaWill84 posted a picture from the City ground which was taken during the champions' 2-0 victory over West Ham. 

Why would a Villa fan attend the game? Because he now qualifies for a ticket for the cup final. Well played, sir!

Getting a ticket for the midweek fixture won't have been difficult either.

With the original game against the Hammers postponed due to Storm Ciara, 'Emptihad' began trending on Twitter due to the swathes of empty seats (officially only 3,000) on show. 

Including FA Cup semi-finals and Community Shields, City have played at Wembley 18 times in the last decade, which may explain their poor take-up for the final. 

Villa, on the other hand, believe they could sell out the entire 90,000 tickets on their own.

They might have to, at this rate.