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 (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
bloody hell
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is VDS still injured or what??
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2-2. 20 Minutes left on the clock.
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Abood- cheers.
I like our team. Could be much worse. Remember both Nani and Saha are injured, and Carrick and Scholes were pretty good together last year (and were always likely to start having not played midweek).
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Apart from Tevez and VDS, the same team that won us the title last year. Should be fun to see.
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fuck arsenal i swear.
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FUUUUUCK!
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WOW! I though Fergie was resting some players for the Roma game… that is almost a full strength team.
Sweeet! Sunderland won. Comon Keano!
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Bolton 2 Arsenal 3 Full Time. Right at the end
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we have to watch it, today has been a day of upsets and we dont want t be the last casualty.
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Just to make J Samuel feel worse, its his birthday. Like the team BTW
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Wow I can’t believe they came back, with fucking 10 man. Bolton sucks and they deserve to go down. In any way I don’t think it’s that bad, I was more worried of Arsenal in Old Traford without a win in 6 and trying to prove smth, but then again i don’t know. let’s just take care of Villa
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defoe has had a great season, 8 goals in 7 games for pompey since January, i could easily see pompey getting between 13-18 million for him.
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fergie has just dropped points with this team.i hate to say i told you.havent u seen how arsenal almost lost?
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[Dan]
FIFA rules prevent a player to play for more than 2 clubs in a year. He will be unable to move in the summer, if that is what you meant.
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i meant in general.
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Defoe has always been a great goal scorer/poacher/finisher. I really think that he never got his due. He is definately “top 4″ off the bench fellow.
PS: ummm… Top 3 Clubs.. It ain’t 4 anymore.
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Oh my God. He did not do that!
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wow! frickin unbelievable goal!!! this dude seriously is the best player in the universe right now!! 35 goals and counting!!
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well that was a stylish goal to say the least
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I’m just hoping United don’t shut up shop at 2-0, like they did against Portsmouth and Bolton, and instead keep on attacking and trying to score more, as Villa on this kind of abject performance are there for the taking. Heres hoping they don’t pull off an Arsenal though haha
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one of the best scenes ever, rooney scores and EVERY man utd supporter screams and claps, even saf has that “nice one rooney” smile on him.
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That’s more like it from Rooney!
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i just heard totti may be injured.great news.he may be in doubt for the champions league.
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we’re watching some of the best football we’ve seen this season! enjoy!
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Did i say it before? We ARE watching some of the best football we’ve seen this season!!! Rooney = Magic. I think Rooney n Ronaldo should just come off and rest for Roma now. (even if that means we play the rest of the match with 9 players
)
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bad news though i think vidic is gonna be suspended for the next game that was his 5th of the season!
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thats the rooney we know and love.
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That rule is over Viz. He needs 10 yc to miss a game now. And I must say: WHAT A GAME! Rooney and Ronaldo=Best in world!
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good stuff that i’m wrong hopefully rooney gets a few more goals this season he deserves it can’t wait for CL roma are gonna get whooped!!
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even worst news, giggs could be a doubt, that means we could play park on the left against roma-EEWW! OR 4-3-3, yea i like that option.
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who says ronny cant do assists?
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That was some pretty one sided, scintillating stuff! On this evidence, the Roma match should be a classic encounter!
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Uniteds last four games:
Derby 1-0
Bolton 2-0
Liverpool 3-0
Aston Villa 4-0
If this continue we will beat Roma 5-0! I dont think that will happen though. Ronaldo 1 goal, 3 assists! Some stats. Yeah R&R, Go on United!
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see the difference it makes when ronnie actually passes the ball? We were a hell of a lot better than in recent weeks and it was because we played a 4-4-2 with both Rooney and tevez playing and ronnie was playing like he was last season by setting up goals as well as scoring which allowed us to play a better team game. Btw Carrick and Scholes were immense today and I think that we should play this formation against Roma because we are so much better when both Rooney and Tevez play up front.
P.S. Donibrasco, in recent weeks you have done nothing but criticise the team and today they won 4-0 when you said they would drop points so please actually start supporting this team instead of criticising them for no good reason
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Ronaldo – 1 goal, and 3 assists for rest of the scorers. Now thats a scintillating performance if there ever was any! Sublime, consummate….BRILLIANT!
Now thats the Ronaldo I love, the one who creates chances for others and also makes ur jaw drop with the cheekiest goal of the season!
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I just wonder now that Ronaldo scored another contender for goal-of-the-season, which goal do you think is Uniteds best this season? My favorite is Ronaldos free-kick against Pompey at Old Trafford, January 30. After that, Nani against Boro in October and then Rooneys second against Newcastle in february.
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Heyy yeah Liam, I would back this same starting 11 against AS Roma. The HOLY TRINITY should not be disbanded from the starting 11 in any game EVER!
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Worrying tekst from Manchester Evening News:
“One area of concern for United will be that Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra all had to be substituted with injuries, Ryan Giggs suffered a knock and could not be replaced and Ronaldo needed ice treatment on his hamstring after the game”
That aint good.
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RedDevil, I think they are just assuming Evra, Rio and Carrick came off with injuries. Although Giggs was definitely injured and injury news about Ronaldo is never good, although he has the superhuman ability to get over knocks with ease, lets hope he’s fine.
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No Conor, it was Fergie that said it after the game.
My ratings:
PIG 7
Brown 7
Rio 8
Vidic 8
Evra 7
Ronaldo 9.5
Carrick 8
Scholes 7
Giggs 6
Tevez 8
Rooney 9
Oshea 6
Owen 7
Anderson 7
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I wouldn’t worry about Rio, Evra and Carrick too much, the fact they all came off together suggested it was just a precautionary measure. Giggs and Ronaldo both looked ok, probably just minor knocks. The biggest worry would be VDS with another groin strain and Nani, Saha and Fletcher are all out.
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Also note guys that Villa had some decent chances. And I think PIG, sorry, Kuczak, made 2 or 3 decent stops.
But had to admit that the defense was imperious too.
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Hahahahahahaha to all Tevez and Rooney haters in your face
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Totti is a doubt for the Roma match with a hamstring injury apparently.
Great news!
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Hmm guys, with this kind of performance Ronaldo should win world player of the year with a landslide margin.
Yet, its 2008, and soon will take place the Euro tournament.
Enlight me please, those international awards, they are awarded usually after the major Euro or world cup tournaments are they?
In any case I can’t see any European player producing regular performances remotely close to what Ronnie has been doing week in week out.
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RedAddict: I had heard that Totti rumour was a hoax. Can anyone confirm or deny it?
NicoQB: The major awards are handed out towards the end of the calender year. To secure at least one of the titles I would say that Ronaldo will have to make a major impact in the latter stages of the CL or the European Championships
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Yes the Totti rumour is indeed a hoax. He’s perfectly fine for Tuesday.
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My goal of the season is Tevez first vs Boro. 2nd, Ronaldo free kick vs Pompey. 3rd, Ronaldo vs Arsenal.
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[Dan]
I’ve had enough of it from the last thread. I’ve deleted your remarks, and have banned you. And you have been warned at least 5 times previously. So you really have no reason to complain.
[Others]
Nothing to be worried about. At times one needs to set the house in order, so I had to do this.
On the game, what do I say! Sublime stuff. Just hope the injured players make it back for Roma. Details on the match tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend!
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