Chelsea face Swansea, Bradford meet Villa in semis

Chelsea‘s Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic (R) scores the second goal during the League Cup Quarter Final football match between Leeds United and Chelsea at Elland Road stadium in Leeds, northern England on December 19, 2012. Chelsea beat Leeds 5-1 and Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez set his sights on League Cup glory after his side were handed a semi-final clash with Swansea.

LONDON (AFP): Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez set his sights on League Cup glory after his side were handed a semi-final clash with Swansea.

Benitez’s hopes of landing the Chelsea job on a permanent basis would be significantly increased if he can put some silverware in the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet.

After losing 1-0 to Corinthians in Sunday’s final of the Club World Cup and crashing out of the Champions League, the League Cup represents his next opportunity and the Blues moved a step closer to the final with an emphatic 5-1 win at Leeds in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Just minutes after full-time at Elland Road, Benitez learned that Chelsea had been drawn to play fellow Premier League side Swansea in the two-legged semi-finals.

“They (Swansea) are a team that likes to play football, likes to play on the floor and also try to keep the ball so I think it will be interesting,” Benitez told Sky Sports.

“Every competition is important for us; a top side has to try to win every competition and now we are in the semi-finals so we are close to winning.”

The other semi-final sees League Two minnows Bradford, making their first ever appearance in the last four after a stunning win against Arsenal, take on Premier League strugglers Aston Villa.

The first legs take place in the week commencing January 7, with the returns two weeks later.

English League Cup semi-final draw:

Chelsea v Swansea

Bradford v Aston Villa

First legs to be played week commencing January 7 and second legs week commencing January 21