Third round classics

Blues, who netted through Graeme Le Saux and Gianluca Villa (2), failed to take much shine off a thrilling away performance.

2002: Aston Villa (A) 3-2
A classic comeback by United, after being two goals down and staring at defeat in the first of four third-round clashes against Villa in seven years. Phil Neville's calamitous own goal, two minutes after Ian Taylor's opener, had the Reds in deep trouble before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pulled one back on 77 minutes. Cue a late Ruud van Nistelrooy double, past former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, and a pitch invasion from the jubilant travelling supporters.

2011: Liverpool (H) 1-0
This was a sweet success, in Kenny Dalglish's first game back in charge of the Merseysiders. Daniel Agger's careless foul on Dimitar Berbatov allowed Ryan Giggs to fire home a penalty inside two minutes and Steven Gerrard's red card severely hampered his side's hopes. Pepe Reina prevented a landslide victory but Old Trafford still rejoiced in knocking out the fiercest of rivals.