Oct 21
Aston Villa 1-4 Man United: “Oh That Was So Easy!”
Pre-match, I had warned about how important this game could be especially coming after the international break. Seems like that was a little premature — at least from the look of the score line.
Of course, we did fall behind, for the first time in, like, erm… ever. But we bounced back with such force that some of the Villa players must be wondering what really hit them. It certainly wasn’t as breathtaking as, say, against Bolton or Fulham of last year or even Wigan from two weeks back. But Aston Villa are a more than decent side especially in their own back yard.
And it showed yesterday. The forward trio of Young, Moore and Agbonlahor had loads of pace and power to burn. The exuberance of their youthful forward line showed as they started in full flow fearless of reputation; Ashley Young did well to keep the ball in and sent in a delightful cross that Agbonlahor had to just guide into goal. 1-0 Villa.
However, we did well to pick ourselves up and dominated the proceedings from then on. We had moments in the game that showed signs of the greatness this team can attain, and one such instance was when Tevez played that dummy onto Rooney’s path while moving to his right in the box. Rooney then promptly gave the ball back to him with his first touch and it had to take a desperate move by Zat Knight to send the ball out of bounds and into safety. That move was something I’ve been watching over and over again as I write this. Whoever said Tevez and Rooney couldn’t play together!
After that, a goal seemed only inevitable; Nani received the ball from Scholes out on the right and sent in another one of his crosses. With the two defenders who could have cut out the cross seemingly going blind at that moment, Rooney popped in to make full use of the poor defending to score and thus net the equaliser.
The second goal, however, was better. Scholes played the ball to Tevez on the left wing who then cut inside and sent in an excellent ball from the outside of his right foot to Rooney, who put the ball past Carson for his, and United’s, second goal. 1-2 to United.
And just before half time, Ferdinand’s weak kick off a corner was mis-kicked into the net by Gardner and Rio celebrated his first goal of the season. At 3-1, it was better than what many would have ever expected. International worries? Injured players? Bah!
The second half was less open than the first, but we did see the game drift surely away from Villa as two of their players got sent off. Reo-Coker’s red was slightly harsh because I think his first yellow wasn’t all that deserved. But Carson’s red was textbook stuff. The penalty that followed, though, from Rooney was poor. Perhaps it was the English ghost coming to haunt him, so we’ll let it pass for now. (He should have hit the ball harder, though.)
Goal number four was off a mazy run from Giggs, who scored, after the ball deflected off two heads. He was visibly happy, and he should be. 4-1 and the match was over. Great performance from the team. Shame, Villa were reduced to nine-men that took the sheen off the game slightly. But that is not to take anything away from the performance of the team.
All that said, I was very apprehensive about the team selection at the beginning. Playing Anderson alongside Scholes against Villa was going to be a gamble. I was also worried about Pique playing against the pace of Agbonahor and Young, and was surprised in equal measure that Vidic hadn’t recovered as yet. But most baffling of all was the presence of Ronaldo on the bench.
The fact that it paid off is a totally different matter, and Villa being reduced to nine men made it a lot easier. Perhaps, SAF was resting Ronaldo after his heavy involvement in Portugal’s games, but then, Tevez had flown in from South America. The manager also has the midweek Champions’ League game against Kiev in mind. Hence his decision to field the team he did.
The selection also blew away two myths that were generated by hacks all over.
1. ‘Rooney and Tevez cannot play together‘ If you did watch the game today I am sure you’ll agree with me that some Premier League teams might be quaking in their pants already. Their understanding is reaching that telepathic level you see between successful strike partnerships. It looks promising already.
2. ‘Fergie has lost faith in Anderson‘ He had O’Shea and Fletcher fit yesterday, either of whom could have been pressed into action. He chose Anderson instead. Enough said, I suppose.
The manager termed it as ‘our best performance of the season‘. I may not completely agree. I felt the Wigan game was a shade better given our circumstances then. But we’ll grant him that. It’s nice to see the team slowly coming into it’s own in time for the Arsenal game. Hopefully we stay in touching distance so that we can catch up with them finally at the Emirates. But then let’s not get too ahead of ourselves either. Next up: Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
So that’s about it. Excellent performance from the lads — Scholes was masterful in midfield, and Tevez was outstanding, but for a chance he scuffed. My only disappointment was that I had Ronaldo in my fantasy team and didn’t have Rooney in it. In the long run, I guess, Ron will score goals. So here’s hoping for a good season ahead. For United as well as my fantasy team.
For those who missed it, here’s a rapidshare link of the MoTD extended Highlights.
(This is the actual link, sorry for posting the Wigan link earlier)
Related items from Red Rants:
- Manchester United v Aston Villa Preview – Tougher than it looks
- Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester United: Ronaldo and Rooney complete a late win
- Aston Villa vs Man United: Preview
- PFA Players Shortlist: Where’s Anderson, Rooney and Rio
- Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd: United Escape With Draw
Tags: Match Reports
October 21st, 2007 at 10:51
koolio, tevez needs to score, he likes to pass it into the goal instead of striking it, its quite anoying to see, he could og f given us 2 goals yesterday, intead of striking the ball he tried to pass into the goal and got fouled and the other attampt was when he had all the time in the world with the keeper of the line all he had to do was pass it in(lol) but he decided to strike it(lol) and it hit the keeper. dont get me wrong, apart from his shooting everything else he does is perfect, he just needs to think in some situations.
and now im off to play fifa…07
fund for fifa 08:£3.00
October 21st, 2007 at 11:36
Redranter: you’ve put the Wigan highlights up in the link.
October 21st, 2007 at 13:16
god blees the VM SS partnership, i get setanta for free and you high sky people dont.
fund 4 fifa 08:
£3.50
October 21st, 2007 at 15:11
[JB]
Thanks for pointing that out. There, ive fixed it.
October 21st, 2007 at 15:12
giggs goal took 3 deflections, 1 of a foot, 1 of a head and the 3 one of the gk fingertips!!!!!!!!
October 21st, 2007 at 15:21
Cheers Redranter, was out last night and missed the game and MOTD. I hadn’t realised until now that Setanta don’t allow Sky the footage for Football First or Goals on Sunday. Thanks to the EU for breaking the monopoly and providing me, the consumer, with the same choice for only an extra £10 a month. What a privilege.
October 21st, 2007 at 15:29
Well, thats good for you. But I don’t even have such luxuries as a student. Thanks to Chinese technology (and hence Sopcast) that I get to view all the games at an extra £0.00 a month!
What a privilege!
October 21st, 2007 at 15:42
An OUTSTANDING display by the lads against a tough opponent who was made to look like a very poor side. This was one of their best road wins ever because you could see that they were really starting to figure things out. Their passing passing for one was outstanding. Great movement off the ball and imaginative interplay just ripped Villa apart. Yes Villa’s defending was in shambles but I really felt they were disoriented by United’s pace and tactical movement.
Some key observations I made were as follows;
1. Carlos Tevez is really coming in to his own. His pace, relentless work ethic and running off the ball is fantastic. Add to this his running with the ball and insightful passing and you have a tremendous talent who is blending in well with the side. He only has to work a bit on his finishing. For me he is not enough of a goal scorer but if you create space an opportunities like he is doing, the goals will come from others. He’s what Paul Scholes used to be
2. Pique is looking very good. Although he is a CB I think he shows enough movement and skill to eventually play RB when Neville is through. He looked like a veteran out there and really was cool under pressure. Fergie, keep finding reasons to play the lad.
3. Nani is really starting to find his groove and you can see his confidence growing by leaps and bounds. The fact he can play both left and right sides is also a blessing. And even though his gift pass set up the first goal, he does have a habit of not putting enough pace on his passes. Nevertheless, he is showing fast progress.
4. Anderson looks very tentative out there and is very cautious. He’s afraid to be himself for fear of screwing up. This makes him little more than a spectator. Still, he is not making mistakes which also tells me that he is maturing enough to be counted on without the worry of selfishness and stupidity costing us a goal. He needs to assert himself more offensively.
5. HOORAY! Evra had a good game where he did nothing to piss me off. However, that also means that he never attempted any major crosses or shots. His defense and overall covering was excellent
6. Rooney is finally acting and performing his duties like a true striker. He’s still running hard and tracking back while chasing balls, but now he has decided to make himself familiar with the opponents 18 yard box much more than in the past. This has allowed him to score what I consider to be more traditional striker like goals. His first goal tap in was great but his second set up by Tevez was what I want to see more of. Stay in that box Wayne and demand that ball.
7. Poor Paul Scholes is caught between a rock and a hard place. I’ve been on him for good reason this season but in fairness, Scholsey has had to play the unfamiliar role of holding midfielder quite often and thus, his offensive game has suffered. Where have the instinctive forward passes, runs and beautiful through balls into space gone? Now we get little back passes and safe five yard passes while he sits back and waits for counter. He’s doing his job but he is a man playing with shackles on.
8. Will we ever see Louis Saha again? I for one cannot wait until January when we buy an insurance striker to back up Rooney and Tevez. But who is stupid enough to buy Saha from us?
9. Ryan Giggs showed big improvement in his game on Saturday but he still seems slower than before. Of course this is understandable given his age but still, slower is not good. Giggsy still had his best game of the year and hopefully that will get the monkey off his back.
10. Saturday was the primer for how the tam should attack all opponents. PACE PACE PACE AND GREAT MOVEMENT OFF THE BALL. Not only that, but they are taking more shots at goal. Only good things can come from this type of play.
WELL DONE TO FERGIE AND THE BOYS. WELL DONE! Now lets see you display this kind of pressure, imagination and performance against Arsenal and the other big boys in the future.
October 21st, 2007 at 16:29
that was a good performance from the lads. everyone did their bit and it paid off..
i really fancy anderson, he needs a couple of games more till we see him running at defenders with pace and strength, meanwhile i’m happy to see him fit in nicely and pass the ball around to get familiar with the system. i’d like to think hargo will suit him better, as he’ll have the freedom to go into the final third of the pitch without worrying about the back.
overall, great job untied! keep it up!
October 21st, 2007 at 16:37
the fact that Ronaldo did not play till the last ten minutes showed our strength in depth in the wide areas. for the same reason, we had to play Tevez and Rooney due to the lack of depth in the striking department. Reinforcements are needed in January.
However I do think Ronaldo can play upfront if required too. Fergie once mentioned he saw Ronaldo’s future as a centre forward. Lol.
October 21st, 2007 at 17:30
Towards the end of the game off a set piece i saw Nani getting into it with one of the villa players and pique grabbed him and brought his attention back to the free kick that was about to take place instead of the villa kid. Pique really is ready for 1st team even with his harassment of the officials.
Ronaldo was only in for a short time but enough to let go of two rockets that smashed into the substitute keeper the first was returned right back to ronny and he let the second go and i felt sorry for the keeper i know that shit hurt.
October 21st, 2007 at 17:56
Grognard, r u Welsh? or Asian? Pique rocks, should be in the team as long as Vidic is out, then perhaps replace Brown n Nev at RB? Giggsy, still many misplaced passes..Scholes, shud go forward and shoot more!
Sell Saha…buy Pazzini or Huntelaar or Santa Cruz or Drogba! Cool…
October 21st, 2007 at 18:17
also, i think fergie is tracking veloso cos he realized how injury prone hargo is proving to be…so perhaps another DM to supplement him instead of having scholes or carrick there. what say u guys?
October 21st, 2007 at 18:17
hohhohooh….anyone played the latest football manager 2008? any good?
October 21st, 2007 at 18:56
great game, WOW GROGNARD WAS POSITIVE AGAIN, he summd it up really well though.
October 21st, 2007 at 18:59
agreed 13, i think SAF wants a top quality teenage striker to cover for our forwards and veloso to replace hargo if a worst case scenario comes- hargo becomes mr.glass-hargo style. heres hoping for a borough return.
a quote from jar jar binks:
“It is fantastic for us to have Wayne and Carlos. The myth about the two of them not being able to play together … was finally put to bed against Villa.”
October 21st, 2007 at 19:00
15. shocked me to.
i want simmo to play on tuesday instead of pique.
October 21st, 2007 at 19:25
November will be a hot month for Utd as the injuries fall away and the team just get that much more consistant. Things are in the begining stages as far as the attack goes and will only improve over the next month.
It’s great to see the impact that our young players are having on the flow of the game. I think part of the reason Anderson was in over Fletch and O’shea (who will play big roles retaining the title this year) was in order to play along side Scholesy. I tend to agree with Grognard’s assessment of him.
Nani and Tevez are our leading assist leaders with 3 each in the league. How is that for being involved?
October 21st, 2007 at 19:31
just wondering, you see sopcast, does it show all the united matches because i plan odownloading it tommorow intime for the borogh match, soz for typos.
October 21st, 2007 at 20:49
Dan: Sopcast IMO is the best of the Asian stream players and you should get most of the United matches on it (and most with English commentary). The players don’t take that long to download/install so it may be worth your while doing TVU/TVAnts and PPMate/PPLive as well. That way you have a bit of back up if Sopcast is down. Not that I would ever condone or participate in such unscrupulous activities. No definitely not me, never.
October 21st, 2007 at 21:39
ive got sopcat but cant find any man utd matches with english commentry what are the best channels for this guys
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:24
check this site site out http://www.myp2p.eu
most football matches can be watch through this site.u will need sopcast
October 22nd, 2007 at 17:49
Kienu;
I’m Canadian. And Grognard is only my online nickname. Grognard was the term used to refer to Napoleon’s Old Guard. I’m not that old but I am a fan of military history and especially Napoleon.
adil alhinai;
Contrary to what you may think, I am actually a very positive guy who loves to dish out praise when it’s warranted. However, if something bugs me or if the team is playing like shite, they will hear my wrath too. I don’t think I’m alone here as I cannot count the the times I have heard supporters at Old Trafford BOO the lads after a bad half or performance.
I’m just a fan that perhaps cares too much. I like for the team to shoot for perfection.
Shoot for the stars and you may reach the moon I say.
Right now United are shooting for the stars and are beginning to play the kind of footy I was expecting from the beginning. Fast flowing, passionate ball with assertive and accurate shooting and passing. I can only ask for two more things of them. Play that way against the top clubs too, and show that kind of style and commitment in Europe as well.
Finally regarding Veloso, Dan I think you may be right regarding United’s interest in the player. I love Hargreaves but if he is becoming another Saha, we need quality backup at that position. If Hargo fully recovers though and injuries become a thing of the past, I cannot see Veloso accepting a seat on the bench with ease. I often wonder why players like Ballack and Shevchenko, Veloso etc always want to go to clubs that already have star players playing their position. It’s the height of arrogance and stupidity. Go where you are wanted but most of all, go where you will be utilized. Chelski and the top Italian and Spanish clubs have more disgruntled superstars sitting on the bench than the rest of the Prem league has superstars combined. It’s total madness on the players parts. Is it better to stroke one’s ego on the bench or on the pitch? It’s just another case of the lure of lots of MONEY corrupting the great game.
October 24th, 2007 at 21:23
It was really good to see United back close to their flowing best at Villa Park and now that they have smashed another four past Kiev then Middlesbrough will certainly be concerned.
Anderson was a real contender for man-of-the-match against Villa as he never gave the ball away needlessly and was the starting point for many of United’s attacks.