Phil Parkinson in dreamland as Bradford City reach Wembley

10:26pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in Bantams By Sports Desk

Phil Parkinson celebrates at Villa Park after City reached the Capital One Cup final Phil Parkinson celebrates at Villa Park after City reached the Capital One Cup final

Aston Villa 2, City 1 (City win 4-3 on aggregate)

City boss Phil Parkinson admitted his side were in “dreamland” after beating Aston Villa 4-3 on aggregate to reach the Capital One Cup final at Wembley.

The Bantams took a 3-1 lead into the second leg of their semi-final at Villa Park, where Christian Benteke reduced Villa’s deficit in the 24th minute.

The hosts were well on top in the first half but James Hanson headed the vital goal on 55 minutes which meant Andreas Weimann’s 89th-minute strike only succeeded in setting up a tense finish.

Parkinson said: “Coming here two goals up, we had a great chance. In the first half Villa were excellent but in the second I thought we were excellent and deserved it.

“We felt in the first half we didn’t pass the ball and in the second we got hold of the ball and had a period of possession. We knew Villa are an attacking team that would leave space for us.

“It’s dreamland. We said we had a chance to make history and it’s absolutely tremendous.”

Despite knocking out Wigan, Arsenal and now Villa, Parkinson was cautious when asked about the chances of his side lifting the trophy against Swansea or European champions Chelsea at Wembley.

He said: “I think that’s going a bit far - but to get to Wembley is great for us.”

Comments(26)

Birky_Neil says...
10:32pm Tue 22 Jan 13

My hotel in Bexleyheath was booked this aft! That's how confident I was. So proud of the boys and the management.

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Anlaby Bantam says...
10:46pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Super City; Stunning !

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pommieguy says...
10:47pm Tue 22 Jan 13

From a Bradford city fan for 45 years and been in Australia for 35 years of that wellllllllllll done am so proud of the lads that played am now looking to book a plane ticket to come over for the final , i didn't think in my life that Bradford would be in the permier league and now the league cup final i missed the permier league games but am not going to miss this again well done guys.

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al&co says...
10:50pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Staying the night in Brum!

What a night! What a result!

I admit I was worried at half time but what a performance in the second half.

When Hanson's goal went in we grew and could and perhaps should have had another....then Villa's second - poor goal to concede but we got exactly what we deserved over the two legs - absolutely worthy winners.

Our supporters were magnificent on this night I will never forget.

WELL DONE EVERYBODY!

WELL DONE BRADFORD CITY!

A TRULY MAGNIFICENT ACHIEVEMENT...

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seen it all before says...
10:50pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Favourites to qualify since last game 3-1

but can anyone explain the huge gap in wages, when this can happen? and does to some degrre quite often in football.

I can't think of any other sport where it happens so often.

Well done City. I think Dean Saunders must have had a big bet on AV to qualify. he looked pig sick.

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gentlemanbob says...
11:00pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Hi Gents


Its just a dream come True....
Well done to Eveybody....

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Rhinoman says...
11:07pm Tue 22 Jan 13

As my name suggests i follow a certain SL team and dont really bother about football, But i would just like to congratulate City on a brilliant result, and getting to wembley. You deserve it and i really hope you can go on to win the trophy . Enjoy your day out.

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dazp says...
11:09pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Just booked travel lodge crickley sat and sun for 65 quid get in

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dazp says...
11:12pm Tue 22 Jan 13

dazp wrote:
Just booked travel lodge crickley sat and sun for 65 quid get in
Sorry Should have been cricklewood let's fill the hotel before Swansea do

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TheCoach says...
11:15pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Wembley Premier Inn booked 24 quid for Sunday night,

"Proud to be a Bradford fan, City through and through!!"

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insane saint says...
11:21pm Tue 22 Jan 13

well done Bradford

go get that cup

from a Saints fan

go city

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Chilebilly says...
11:23pm Tue 22 Jan 13

Well done Bradford you deserved it over the 2 legs.
I wish my team had the spirit and drive that you have.
Lambert the worst Villa manager since Josef Venglos.
"sacked in the morning" I hope so.
Good luck in the final whoever you play,I'll be shouting for you.

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alfucham says...
11:31pm Tue 22 Jan 13

One word MAGNIFICENT.

For all Bradfordians be proud.

From one very proud Bradford Park Avenue supporter who is absolutely delighted for all his Bantams friends.

A special mention to Mark Lawn who has taken a lot of unfair flak through a depressing few years at the Valley.

Heres hoping this cheers his dear wife on to a speedy recovery from a very serious operation and illness.

God bless to all and Mega"s cotton socks

Julian and Mark have steadied a badly listing ship from dreadfull financial management of one former chairman.With able help of one David Baldwin

The tide is turning at last and all should savour the moment of history so made.

Enjoy every minute

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shoesmaker4 says...
11:48pm Tue 22 Jan 13

well done city parky the lads and fans this is truly the stuff of legends wot a great winn well deseved to come on city

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danger mouse says...
11:49pm Tue 22 Jan 13

I'm a Vale fan that has lived in Bradford for over eight years and would like to wish City and all of the fans congratulations you deserve it. Its been a pleasure watching City in the cup and a fantastic advert for league two football. I'd really like City and Vale get promoted to league one because we seem to have some good rivalry and I sincerely hope we both do! Enjoy the final peeps

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essmbee says...
11:57pm Tue 22 Jan 13

we were poor first half but weathererd the blizzard, and in the second we passed the ball around like we did at VP and we were strong. Can we make a game of it in the final......? as Greavsie used to say: 'It's a funny old game', well Im laughing tonite

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Go Torps! Yer flying. says...
11:58pm Tue 22 Jan 13

What an amazing evening...! Just got home to Worcestershire and no beer in the fridge. Now sat with the wife quaffing big G&T's... Couldn't breath after we'd stopped celebrating Jimmy's goal. Awesome. Thanks guys! X

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shoesmaker4 says...
12:00am Wed 23 Jan 13

so brave all the players each and every one of you lot a massive well done come on city

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Jabroni Bantam says...
12:51am Wed 23 Jan 13

Watched the match in a bar in Madrid with 7 newly-converted Spanish Bantams!! Amazing!! Who needs CR7 or Messi when you've got James Hanson and Nahki Wells? Will be checking flights asap, cos after seeing Bradford win at Wembley in 1996, I wouldn't want to miss this for anything in the world! Couldn't be prouder of my city or my club.

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_Size3_ says...
1:02am Wed 23 Jan 13

I need to be committed. I can't handle it. This cup run has been daft. Who else has had such a hard path to the final as us....from ANY of the divisions higher than us? It's unheard of. AND we're league 2!!!! NUTS!

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Bradford1903 says...
1:51am Wed 23 Jan 13

Don't think it's quite sunk in yet.

First half thought we played the occasion more than the game, and gave them far too much time and space, which was perfectly illustrated with their goal.

Second half we started to close them down, plus used the ball better, and I thought they ran out of ideas, but in true city style we had to concede one near the end to keep it interesting.

Thought Hanson was immense 2nd half, and the goal seemed to visibly lift his confidence.

What another amazing night.

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gary turner says...
2:34am Wed 23 Jan 13

Roy of the Rovers stuff. what a wonderful team effort and well done Parky. The team and management will be in the front of the shop window now but I think it may be better to be playing for City than being a bench warmer for a bigger club. I do hope that Parky stays and that past crytics will support him now. Wembley bound and while it would be a dream to win the result will not take away the happiness the City supporters have enjoyed. I encourage all the fans that go to be vocal all the game , whatever the score, the team will find the cheers very lifting.

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cullboy says...
2:46am Wed 23 Jan 13

just got back we were superb, first half just off the pace but second half well once we scored we were a yard faster and passed the ball Wembley here we come

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anileo says...
3:29am Wed 23 Jan 13

Well done Bradford, l watched the game on the edge of my seat at home in Argentina, unbelievable, go on and win it!
l have to say l support Bolton but my sister works in Bradford and we were with you all the way.

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tyker2 says...
3:59am Wed 23 Jan 13

I thought we played too deep first half and conceded too much possession with dangerous crosses coming in. Second half we played higher up the pitch and we were SUPERB.

Lambert is a true misery guts who had only one answer later on was to lump balls at us from all over the park. with were food and drink to the two MACS. He also clearly told his players to try kick Hines as much as they could.

Hanson was awesome all night but second half he gave them worries and the header. WOW!!

TRULY-- un bee lee va bal.

Well done to all the players,managemet and directors. E memorable night and CAN WE NOW DREAM THE DREAM

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bilty40 says...
8:44am Wed 23 Jan 13

There are no adequate enough words in the english language to describe what OUR club has achieved!!
Now,as a fitiing TRIBUTE to the boys AND ALL staff down at theValley,from now until the end of the season,let,s have the team come out at home games to the song "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables"-or "The Impossible Dream" from the film "The Man From Le Mancha"
Think how that would sound if we could get the crowd singing it AND especially at WEMBLEY!!
Or -at our next home game,what about "Simply The Best"by Tina Turner-"Rocing All Over The World"(The Qou) ??
I just think we should REALLY mark this HISTORIC occasion SOMEHOW at V.P.

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