Mar 29
Manchester United v Aston Villa Preview – Tougher than it looks
After the disappointment at the international stage (some might call it a Newcastle-like tendency to expect too much) we return to Premier League action as United take on Villa at Old Trafford and with Arsenal and Chelsea facing relatively easier opponents (Bolton (away) and Boro (home)), the pressure is on the champions to win this game ahead of their CL quarterfinal away leg against Roma.
Aston Villa have taken something of a stumble, losing two games on the trot. On the other hand, Manchester United have been in title-winning form over the last few games, winning the last 5 and not conceding for 300 minutes. I could quote you more stats (we’ve never lost at home to Villa in the Prem) but the long and short of it is – United are on form and at home, Villa are out of form and away from home, and from only that I would point to a 2-1 or 3-1 win tomorrow evening.
But if only it were that easy!
With the Roma game coming up Fergie is likely to rest a few players (Hargo in particular might get rested in favor of Carrick who got a good week’s rest) and some, like Nani, are doubtful because of injury. The team selection is likely to keep all of us guessing till kickoff tomorrow, but considering that we only have 2 strikers, it is entirely possible that only one of Rooney and Tevez will start.
Here’s how our Premier League run-in looks like:
Middlesbrough (a)
Arsenal (h)
Blackburn (a)
Chelsea (a)
West Ham (h)
Wigan (a)
The sad thing is – Villa at home is probably our easiest game at least till May, when we have the pleasure of playing the Hammers at home (banana-skin) and Wigan away (4 goal minimum). Squeaky bum time starts now, hopefully this bunch is ready for it.
Possible lineup:
Van der Sar / Kuszczak / Foster (who knows?), Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo / Park, Carrick, Anderson, Scholes, Giggs, Tevez / Rooney
Over to you guys.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Aston Villa vs Manchester United: Match Preview
- Aston Villa v Manchester United: Preview/Match thread
- Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester United: Ronaldo and Rooney complete a late win
- Aston Villa v Man Utd: Preview
- Home Sweet Home for United against Villa?
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (542)
Stephen (493)
RedDevilEddy (462)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Great news: Ronaldo is fine, he will play against Rome.
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Red Ranter – why has Dan been banned????. I don’t think his posts have been that offensive, or have I missed something?. People express themselves in all different ways, and that’s what makes the world go round. If some on the board find his posts hurtful, I just want to register that I haven’t noticed anything truly untoward, or overly offensive in them. But then I don’t know most of you on the forum, but I have heard a lot of things far more offensive on the terraces amongst the fans this afternoon. Maybe you can tell me it’s none of my business, and I will accept that, but I don’t understand the ban that’s all.
I just got back from the game, after stopping off for a few bevvies with some of the other match goers, so I am little lager brain dead!. I don’t think Dan’s comments warrented a ban from what I have seen in his recent posts, so I wanted to speak up for him, even though I don’t know him, nor if he wants anyone seeking to come to his defence. Ronaldo was so unselfish today, which was nice to see. Rooney’s first goal had raptureous applause from all sections of the crowd. Tev was run, run, run, no wonder they call him the Apache. So glad Hargo got on. I shouted so much at the game I am hoarse LOL.
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[craig mc]
Yes, you did miss something. The fact is that I don’t have to explain myself here even though I do give chances to several posters (I try not to abuse that power). Dan knows why he has been banned.
[Dan]
If you really want to get in touch there is the contact form for you to use.
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Craig to tell you the truth Dan often was a bit ‘overly enthusiastic’, shall we say, in his posts
, and insults came out. Although it seemed like genuine naivety on his part and he didn’t realise any wrong-doing, he still should’ve learnt not to do it after once or twice, he didn’t.
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Conor – thanks for explaining mate!. I have only been a member of this forum for a short time, so don’t know what all has gone on in the past. I just think Dan’s posts appear so innocuous to me, naive maybe like you say. Not everybody is polished in all that comes out of their mouths, some people just say things off the top of their heads. I think Dan seems to just say it how it is to him. But like I say Conor I am new here, so if Red Ranter says I missed something, I must take his word for it. Thanks again though.
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getting back to the team – a few observations:
- Nigel Reo-Coker had a fantastic game at right-back. A lesser player would have allowed Rooney way more space and would have allowed United to score at least 2 more goals (or 4-5 more chances).
- Rooney came out about evens in his duel with Reo-Coker, but when Anderson came on, he just went at it with Reo-Coker and managed to come out top. There’s this amazing energy about about Anderson which if he can harness towards his passing and shooting (as opposed to his hustling and bustling), he will own the opposition in a way very few people (only Ronny in the current United squad) can. Not even Fab / Gerrard have that type of presence, or at least they’ve been shown up so far this season. Amazing.
- Carrick was awesome today. His defending (and even those 2-3 tackles he had to put in) and his passing was as good as anything we’ve seen from him since his move to Old Trafford. Long may it continue.
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Does anybody else think that these were the best back to back performances Manchester United have done in an extremeley long time? And that the Villa game was the team’s telling AS Roma “this is what we can do; can you take this?”
This was by far the best I have seen United play in the past two seasons. Hope they keep it up.
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Hey Guys, Apologies for Yesterday… Rough at work!
But man last nights performance was the best I have seen this season from UNITED.
Ronaldo, obviously superb, but I was really impressed with Carrick and Scholes in the middle. They absolutely closed down everything, and Fergie is right Scholes is hitting top form just at the right time for us. Scholes’ vision at times just takes my breath away. Carrick really reminded me of Roy Keane with some of his tackles.
The back again brilliant, but wish Evra would develop his crossing… But no there is not a negative u can take from this game. None at all.
Ahmed, you’re very right on Nigel, he was very good at Right back. It was a great duel with Rooney.
Hope Rooney’s goals are something that will continue this season, and that it wasn’t just his knack of scoring against the Villains this week.
Title = ours
Champions League = 50/50 chance
Haha the belief…
Peace.
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Hey [craig mc] seen as though you were at the game yesterday, and I presume you attend a fair bit can you tell me what Giggs’ reception has been like from the fans at OT?
Just based on his performances’ of late and the fact that the guy is a living legend… I’m just curious.
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I’d Like to come out and say that even though I have had my differences with Dan, my wish was never to see him banned and I have made those feelings known to Red Ranter. But to some of you out there who cannot see that he was abusive to a number of posters and even players for that matter, then I throw my arms up and say I give up. Anyway, I hope that he is allowed back but that he learns to respect all of us and keep his views civil and clean. Disagreeing is fine and differing viewpoints should even be encouraged, but keeping it civil and friendly is most important. After all, we can’t all see eye to eye, even when it comes to our favorite football team.
Now regarding the game; Unfortunately I missed it due to a long work day and I probably won’t get to see it until late Sunday. Nevertheless I am ecstatic by the result and from everything I read and hear, they were simply outstanding and that Ronny and Rooney were out of this world. I hope they didn’t waste that form on Villa and come up dry against Roma. OK OK, I’ll kick myself for being pessimistic. I don’t even want to watch the highlights as I want to experience the whole game without spoiling it for myself. I’ll post my game and player reviews tomorrow for the few of you out there who might actually care. Until then, take care.
Red Devil; WOW! If Rooney was a 9 and Ronaldo a 9.5, I just can’t wait to see the game.
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the villa game. what a performance… . .
and btw..i think scholesy had a great game. i hope the real ginja ninja is back! oh and PIG had a good one as well. couple of great saves, good kicking. can’t wait for rr’s review !
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I read on manutd.com that Ben Foster in ineligible for Europe. Why on earth is that so??
Here is the story
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Mark Lawrenson summed it up perfectly when he said that Manchester United were “frightening” yesterday. These are good times to be a United fan.
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Mihir – because when we registered our teams, we didn’t give his name as he was injured at the time.
Reo-Coker could actually get into the England squad at right-back at this rate
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Shannon – United fans don’t lambast their off form players during games anymore – well perhaps on ManU forums, but that’s between friends LOL. Giggsy does seem to lose possession these days, and has slowed down a bit, but apart from loud groans from some sections of the ground, there was no booing or anything. 2 or 3 seasons ago, Giggsy had a real period of off-ness, and fans on the terraces got on his back big time, but the Media and especially Ex united player legends bolloxed the fans for having a go at a legend like Giggs. So fan reactions to Giggsy came to a quick end. Hope that helps!.
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It does Craig mc cheers…
I think fans were jeering a couple of years ago at Giggs cos of the inter rumours as well yeah.
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