Aston Villa legend Ian Taylor, champion jockey Richard Dunwoody and The Courteeners!
The Carling Cup takes centre stage this weekend on another jam-packed
Soccer AM.
The last time Aston Villa won the League Cup they had Ian Taylor to thank, so we thought it was only fitting that we invite the midfield general on the show!
Born in Birmingham, Taylor began his professional career with Port Vale where he became an instant fans' favourite.
A short spell at Sheffield Wednesday followed before he completed his dream move to his boyhood heroes in 1994 and the rest, as they say, is history!
In total Taylor played 291 times for the Midlands club, scoring 43 goals in a career which spanned nine years.
In 1996 he played, and scored, in the Villa side that beat Leeds 3-0 in the Coca-Cola Cup final, while in 2000 he was inspirational in the club's run to the FA Cup final, where they were eventually beaten by Chelsea.
A regular in the Holte End at Villa Park, Taylor will be giving us his view on Sunday's final with Manchester United and revealing whether or not he plans to be rubbing shoulders with the Villa faithful in the stands!
The 41-year-old, who retired in 2007, will also be talking to Helen and Max about Villa's chances of finishing fourth in the Premier League this season and winning the FA Cup.
Champion
Galloping into the studio next will be three-time champion jockey Richard Dunwoody!
The 46-year-old, who retired from racing in 1999, was the only jockey of his generation to win the National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle.
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dunwoody's big race victories include the King George VI Chase on the legendary grey Desert Orchid in 1989 and 1990.
Away from the race course he is well known for the considerable amount of time he devotes to charity work.
In January 2008 he and American explorer Doug Stoup raised money by becoming the first people to reach the South Pole via a route first attempted by polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.
He will reflect on a brilliant career and no doubt be telling us about any upcoming adventures.
Balance
Completing this week's line-up and restoring the Carling Cup balance on the orange sofa will be indie rockers and huge Manchester United fans The Courteeners!
The band's second album, Falcon, was recorded at ICP Studios in Belgium and released on Monday, receiving rave reviews in the music press.
The boys will embark on a nationwide tour next month and Liam and Campbell will be in the studio to talk music and, of course, football!
That completes this week's guest-list but as ever there's lots more to look forward to, including Crossbar Challenge with Oldham, I-Iron Soldier, What's Tatt All About, I Love Football with Peter Schmeichel, Our Man in a Caff, Tubes' Question, Showboat and a special Skill Skool north of the border as Hamilton U19s take on Motherwell U19s!
Plus, Rio Ferdinand talks us through his top tunes in MP3, we see more photos taken by footballers, the top five goals from the Mitre Goal of the Year will be announced and we have a global exclusive on the brand new Pepsi ad!
So tune in to Soccer AM, 9am, Saturday, on Sky Sports 1 and Sky 1 and see all the gang including this week's Coventry fan Soccerette!
