Ilkay Gundogan taking League Cup very seriously as Manchester City seek to complete hat-trick

German midfielder helped his side reach a final showdown with Aston Villa after a 3-2 aggregate win over Manchester United

Manchester United's Brandon Williams takes on Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez. Reuters

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer applauds the fans following the League Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. AFP

Manchester United's Brandon Williams vies for the ball with Manchester City's Kyle Walker in the League Cup semi-final second leg. Reuters

Manchester City's Rodri with Manchester United's Andreas Pereira. Reuters

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero with manager Pep Guardiola as he was substituted for Gabriel Jesus. Reuters

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling takes on Manchester United's Victor Lindelof. Reuters

Manchester United's Fred takes a free kick. Reuters

Manchester United's Nemanja Matic celebrates scoring during the League Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City. Reuters

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero misses a chance to score. Reuters

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Claudio Bravo Action. Reuters

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard battles with Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi. Reuters

German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has insisted Manchester City take the League Cup just as seriously as other competitions as the club aims to win the tournament for a third successive year.

City reached the final on Wednesday following a 3-2 aggregate win over rivals Manchester United. A comfortable 3-1 win at Old Trafford three weeks ago put City in control of the tie, but were made to sweat in a 1-0 defeat at the Etihad on Wednesday.

City have won the last two editions of the League Cup and will this time face Aston Villa at Wembley.

"It feels great to be there for the third time in a row," said Gundogan. "It's always special to travel to Wembley, always big games. Hopefully we can win another final - the third consecutive one in this competition.

"We try to go for it. It's as important as the other competitions. We don't try to think that maybe we would do better if we get knocked out early in this competition to be fresher for the other competitions. That's not how we think.

"We have great players and everyone wants to play and keep their rhythm and form. These games give you the possibility to maintain form and give everyone game time.

"We just see it as a competition where you can win a trophy and obviously that's our target."

League Cup success will be a welcome boost for a side that will likely not retain the Premier League crown given Liverpool's 19-point lead at the top.

FA Cup and Champions League glory remains possible, but Gundogan knows they need to put in a better performance than Wednesday's.

"Especially after conceding the goal, it was too sloppy from us," the Germany international said. "We started really well, created really good chances early and if we score I think it's over and it's done but sometimes we have the issue to concede.

"In some periods in the past we struggled a little bit and we should learn from it because we have big games coming; of course with the Champions League."

City great David Silva has already confirmed this will be his final season at the Etihad Stadium and Gundogan hopes to help his 34-year-old Spanish teammate go out with a bang.

"David is professional enough and we are to go for that trophy," he said of the League Cup. "It's a great chance with being in the final.

"I don't think he needs to win another trophy to say that he had a great career so far but obviously he's a big professional and he wants to go for it so we want to."