What's the most important game today?

Easy, right? Manchester United hosts Manchester City in the second leg of their Carling Cup semifinal.

The new guys on the block, fueled by all that Arabian Gulf money, are in position to depose their rivals as king of the city.

It's enough to make calm, cool Sir Alex complain about the officiating, the amount of stoppage time and, just maybe, his blood pressure.

Except for one thing: in the context of the modern game, United vs. City isn't all that special.

Oh, there's a place in a Wembley final and even a trophy to be collected in late March. 

Problem is: who really cares?

Se, the truly important game tonight is in Birmingham. There, Aston Villa, with legit hopes of still finishing in the top four, hosts Arsenal, a side with equally legit hopes of winning the EPL title.

And what do you think is more significant these days? The number of trophies in a case — or a place in the Champions League?

If you have to think twice about that, you haven't paid attention to how the EPL and Champions League have bulldozed the traditionalists.

Saturday I happened to be listening to BBC World Service and they were asking listeners to e-mail them: They wanted to know if the FA Cup continued to matter. That's the FA Cup, folks; the tournament of romance, shocks and legend. The same event, you'll recall, where Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger decided to unveil his new central defense combo… built around Sol Campbell.

If the FA Cup no longer holds its place -- and it doesn't unless you are outside the game's elite -- then where does the Carling Cup fit?

I understand that the Battle of Manchester is important to many, many people.

But if they think it has real meaning, they are living in the past. Manchester City can enjoy a moment of glory, but unless the Sky Blues are in next season's Champions League, it all will mean naught. 

The Champions League is the elephant in the room. It may be the world's most important soccer property.

That's why what happens at Villa Park tonight is far more significant than what happens at Old Trafford.

Believe it.

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TV TODAY (Times ET, picks in bold)

Chelsea v B’ham 1430 FSC/FSE

Man U v Man City (Carling Cup) 1445 Setanta/ESPN360

Aston Villa v Arsenal 1445 SDD 1700 Setanta

AC Milan v Udinese 1600 ESPN360/GolTV

Rovers v Wigan 1700 FSC SDD

Sevilla v Deportivo La Coruna 1700 GolTV SDD

Potosi v Cruziero (CL) 1830 FSE

Everton v Sunderland 1845 Setanta SDD

Juan Aurich v Estudiantes (CL) 2100 FSE