aston-villa

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United maintained a five point Premier League lead with victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. The United striker lashed home a superb volley with less than a minute on the clock and then sidefooted a second before half-time for just his fifth and sixth goals of the season. Villa’s new £24 million man Darren Bent pulled a goal back on the hour before captain Nemanja Vidic drove an unstoppable shot past high into the top corner to seal United’s win.

The win marks a welcome return to form for United, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side labouring to wins over Blackpool and Southampton in the past week. In truth United had the tie well under control from the off after Rooney’s stunning opening goal on 56 seconds. Indeed, if neither the Reds nor Rooney have been at their best this season, then Ferguson’s outfit stepped up a level in front of 75,256 at Old Trafford.

“The man’s got a great appetite to play and everyone should remember that,” said Ferguson of 25-year-old Rooney.

“We remember that – he has a great appetite to work and fight and he gets his rewards eventually.

“You keep knocking off the games and if we can keep winning then eventually you run out of games. The aim for us is to keep the momentum going and keep the work-rate up like we did tonight against a good Aston Villa team and hopefully it gets us where we want to be.”

The United manager resisted calls to drop Rooney despite the striker’s paucity of goals this season. With Mexican Javier Hernández bagging two goals in the past week, supporters would have forgiven Ferguson for dropping his star man. Instead the 69-year-old Scot was rewarded inside a minute with Rooney controlling Edwin van der Sar’s 60-year-pass and lashing a volley past Brad Friedle in the visitor’s goal.

It was the perfect start for Ferguson’s men, who have come from behind twice in three days this week.

There was more to United’s play that Rooney’s early goal though, with the Reds far slicker in possession than has often been the case this season and Villa struggling to stay on terms. Indeed, Ferguson’s men were denied a clear penalty when Richard Dunne brought down Nani. The Portuguese then fired just over Friedel’s goal, before Patrice Evra and the outstanding Ryan Giggs each went close for the home side.

Far fetched as it seemed but Villa was on the cusp of making it to the break just a goal down and still in the tie. That was until Rooney ran on to Nani’s cross and slotted home to double his tally and United’s lead.

Yet it was to Villa’s credit that the Midlanders fought their way back into the tie, even if the pattern of the match changed little after the break. United had thrown away victories at both Everton and Fulham this season and when Bent headed home Stuart Downing’s cross on 58 minutes the Old Trafford crowd feared more dropped points.

However, any doubt about the result was dispelled in the most emphatic fashion just five minutes later, when man-on-the-match Rooney laid off to Vidic who smashed a stunning shot past Friedel. The Serbian will have scored no better goal in has career than this.

In total this was a hugely satisfactory victory over the newly in-form Villains, with Michael Carrick, Rooney, Nani and Dimitar Berbatov on another level to the visitors. Expansive in midfield, penetrative in attack and – mostly – solid in defence, United laid down a marker for the side’s rivals in the Premier League title race.

Chelsea and Arsenal matched United’s result tonight but United’s five point lead leaves Ferguson’s outfit in control of its own destiny. On the back of a seven match winning run and unbeaten in the Premier League the title is surely now United’s to lose.

Whether it is confidence in his squad or restrictions put in place by the Old Trafford paymasters, Ferguson’s decision not to invest in the winter market has been countered with more than £70 million of deadline-day spending at Chelsea. Even Villa, parsimonious under Randy Learner’s ownership until now, spent big on new forward Bent.

“There has been some amazing buys,” added Ferguson.

“I think there has been a chain reaction from Aston Villa paying £24million for Darren Bent because everybody thinks their player is 24-plus. But you can’t be surprised or amazing because this is the Premier division.”

Match Facts
United – 442 – Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Fletcher (Anderson 34), Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney.

Villa – 4411 – Friedel; Walker, Dunne, Collins, Clark; Albrighton (Heskey 69), Makoun, Petrov (Agbonlahor 74), Downing (Reo-Coker 80); Young; Bent.

Attendance – 75,256
Man of the Match – Rooney

Possession: United 50% – 50% Villa
Attempts: 18 – 9
On Target: 2 – 4
Corners: 5 – 5
Fouls: 6 – 6

Manchester United defends a five point Premier League lead tonight with Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson’s outfit could move up to eight points clear with Arsenal also in action on a busy night in the Premier League.

Ferguson can boast a virtually fully fit squad, with most leading lights returning to the side following United’s victory over Southampton in the FA Cup last week. In addition to rested stars, injured defenders Rio Ferdinand and Rafael da Silva are fit to return, while Michael Carrick will feature if an ankle problem has cleared sufficiently. Patrice Evra also returns following a short trip back to France for a family bereavement.

United faces a Villa side with renewed confidence after the £24 million capture of Darren Bent and three wins on the bounce. And without a victory over Villa in the past three meetings between the sides, United is set for another close encounter with the Midlanders.

Ferguson is set to reunite Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in attack, with each experiencing deeply contrasting fortunes this season. While the Bulgarian has now bagged 19 goals, with a brace against Blackpool last week, Rooney has just one strike from open play this season.

It’s a fact that does not sit comfortably with Ferguson though.

“Some of our critics are making a meal out of the fact that Wayne Rooney is lagging behind in the goal stakes. He is, compared with the bucketload he scored last year, but I am not worried,” said the United manager.

“It is the scoring partnership that matters and the combination between our two front men has improved beyond all recognition. Last year, Wayne benefited from Dimitar’s work but this year it is Berbatov enjoying the last touch.

“If we finish the season with Berbatov scoring 30 and Wayne on 10 – and those are the targets I have in mind – I will be more than happy. That is what I call a successful strike partnership, reminiscent of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke.”

Still, Ferguson must decide whether to stick with his misfiring £30 million striker or bring Javier Hernandez into the side. The 22-year-old Mexican has scored 11 goals in just 12 starts this season, including vital goals against Blackpool and Southampton in the past week. Although Rooney is favourite to start, the Ferguson has never been afraid to drop his leading stars in the relentless drive for success. Indeed, it is arguable whether Rooney merits a place in the side on current form irrespective of whether Hernandez starts or not.

It is this outlook underpins United success under the Scot’s management over the past quarter century says Ferdinand, with the Reds coming from behind to win twice in the past week.

“You never lose faith when you play for Manchester United,” Ferdinand told The Sun.

“It’s in our make-up the game’s not over until the final whistle has blown and until then you try your hardest.

“If you do that week in, week out, you get a bit of luck and you get your rewards. It comes from the manager – he has got that desire and will to win.

“He’s been here 25 years and if he’s still got it, then why haven’t players who have only been here for a year, two years, 10 years, whatever?

“So it comes from him and filters down through the club and that’s always the way it’s been. That’s why you see it so often that we can come back from adverse situations and create results like we did against Blackpool.”

Meanwhile, Villa will give a late fitness test to Agbonlahor, with the striker suffering a minor hamstring strain. Defender Nathan Baker is suspended, while Fabian Delph has a knee injury. New signing Michael Bradley could play following a deadline day transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Darren Bent return’s the the squad after missing last week’s FA Cup win over Blackburn Rovers.

Despite Villa’s lowly position in the Premier League under-fire manager Gerard Houllier says his team can with at Old Trafford.

“We’re capable of beating any team,” said Houllier.

“We need to take our hats off to the record so far of Manchester United – to stay undefeated for that many games. They’re impressive.

“They were impressive when we played them. It was a thrilling game. The way they came back into the game – I think the goal from Federico Macheda changed everything because it brought a spark of hope. If we’d have been able to hold another ten minutes it would have been different.

“I wish I could play as badly as they do and have the same record! People say that but when they played well they battered Birmingham 5-0, Blackburn 7-1. I hope they don’t play well then!”

While another cricket score seems unlikely, with Villa’s record at Old Trafford respectable in recent years, Ferguson will take any victory and a vital three points in the title race. Indeed, with Chelsea spending more than £70 million on transfer deadline day in a desperate attempt to clam back lost points, Ferguson will be keen to ram home United’s advantage.

Opposition
Villa – 433 – Friedel; Clark, Cuellar, Collins, Walker; Petrov, Reo-Coker, Bannan; Albrighton, Bent, Young. Subs from: Bradley, Marshall, Downing, Delfouneso, Heskey, Pires, Makoun, Agbonlahor.

United
United – 442 – van der Sar; Rafael da Silva, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov. Subs from: Kuzszazk, Evans, Brown, Gibson, Owen, Bébé, Lindegaard, Fabio da Silva, O’Shea, Carrick, Anderson, Obertan, Hernández, Smalling.

Officials
Referee: Chris Foy
Assistant referees: Dean Mohareb & Glenn Turner
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell

Form
United – WWWWWW
Villa – LWDWWW

Manchester United’s poor performances away from home continued as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side fought from two down to take a late draw at Villa Park. In truth, the Scot’s side could have been many more behind before captain Nemanja Vidic headed home in the 85th minute to earn the visitors an unlikely share of the spoils.

Gerard Houlier’s outfit twice struck the woodwork before Ashley Young scored from the penalty spot with 20 minutes remaining. Marc Albrighton added a second from close range before Federico Macheda lashed into the top corner to offer United hope. United’s comeback was complete when Vidic headed home Nani’s cross with time running out at a raucous Villa Park.

It was a stunning end to a game in which Ferguson’s side looked all at sea. Out-passed and too often out-thought by a youthful Villa side, Ferguson will no doubt de grateful to escape with another point on the road. It was United’s sixth away draw in the Premier League this season, with 12 points dropped away from Old Trafford already.

“We could have lost six goals in the second half. They hit the woodwork three times and Albrighton missed two great chances,” said Ferguson

“I think the emotions of the way Villa played kept them at a high boiling point. The tackles, some of it was fair, some of it wasn’t, but the referee allowed things to go and sometimes that makes a great game.

“I think we’ve seen a great game today. Great credit to Aston Villa for keeping that emotional aspect up for the whole game. They got stuck in, tackled, fought and the crowd kept them going.”

Indeed, United was as listless as Villa lively. The Reds began in sluggish fashion and failed to find any spark until the match was seemingly beyond Ferguson’s outfit.

Missing a creative heartbeat, with Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher paired in a midfield that offered function over flair, the visitors did not force ‘keeper Brad Friedel into a save before the 80th minute.

Yet Ferguson’s outfit fired the opening salvo, with Dimitar Berbatov shooting wide when well placed after Javier Hernández’ smart pass. The Bulgarian has now not scored in nearly two months since the hat-trick against Liverpool at Old Trafford in September. Gone, it seems, is the confidence that brought seven early season goals and the manager’s effusive praise.

The wasted chance mirrored United’s sloppy play to half-time as United often gave away possession, while creating few chances. Worst was to come with Evra whipping a ball across the six yard area that not a single colleague gambled on. A touch would have brought a certain goal but United’s attacking endeavour seemingly lacked any life.

The more United struggled the greater Villa’s confidence grew. The home side’s midfield averaged just 20 years-of-age but Albrighton, alongside Barry Bannan, Jonathan Hogg and – at 24 the comparative veteran – Stewart Downing, increasingly came into the match.

Edwin van der Sar saved from Young before Rio Ferdinand deflected Downing’s shot narrowly wide just before the interval. United’s play only deteriorated after half-time as Villa created half a dozen outstanding chances in the second period.

Albrighton headed Downing’s cross wide when just six yards out before the woodwork twice saved the visitors in quick succession. First defender James Collins headed against the bar before Gabriel Agbonlahor hit van der Sar’s right hand post with a thumping effort.

Villa then opened up United on the counter-attack, with Wes Brown clumsily bringing down Young inside the area. The defender was spared red but Young smashed home the spot kick anyway.

Within moments Villa doubled the lead, with Albrighton tapping in another Downing cross for the goal his play deserved.

Then came United’s late comeback as Ferguson replaced the ineffective Hernández and Berbatov with Gabriel Obertan and Macheda.

Finally United came to life, creating perhaps eight chances in as many minutes with the game drawing to a close. Too little, perhaps, but at least it was not too late to save a sixth draw in seven Premier League outings away from home.

Ferguson’s side remains unbeaten but as in last week’s win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Scot’s outfit was more than a little fortunate.

“To be 2-0 down with 10 minutes to go you have to be pleased with that,” added Ferguson.

“With another five minutes we would have won the match, there was no doubt about that, but we waited too long to get there.”

In truth though victory for Ferguson’s side would have been a miscarriage of justice. That United created a flurry of chances in a breathless last ten minutes is testament to the side’s will to succeed.

That the Reds created almost nothing for the previous 80 is far greater substantiation of the deteriorating quality of Ferguson’s squad.

Match Facts
Villa – 442 – Friedel; L Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Albrighton (Lichaj 88), Bannan, Hogg (Herd 90), Downing; Young, Agbonlahor (Delfouneso 78).

United – 442 – Van der Sar; Brown 49, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Carrick, Park (Smalling 86); Berbatov (Obertan 73), Hernandez (Macheda 73).

Attendance – 40,073
Man of the Match – Vidic

Possession: Villa 51% – 49% United
Attempts: 12 – 16
On target: 6 – 10
Corners: 9 – 7
Fouls: 11 – 9

Further injury and illness concerns dominate Sir Alex Ferguson’s planning ahead the trip to Aston Villa this weekend. Manchester United’s six match winning streak came to an end against neighbours City on Wednesday night but the chance to build momentum Saturday lunchtime is hardly helped by injuries to Patrice Evra and Rafael da Silva.

The French left-back may feature against Gerard Houlier’s outfit if his sore ankle responds to treatment today, although Rafael will definitely miss out with a dead leg. Meanwhile, ‘flu continues to sweep through the United camp, with up to 12 players having been infected over the past week.

Long-term injury victims Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen and Antonio Valenica each miss out, although Ryan Giggs could make his long-awaited return if the Welshman suffers no further relapse on a hamstring.

Paul Scholes is suspended under the totting up procedure after collecting five yellow cards this season, although with the midfielder having played 90 minutes against City on Wednesday it is unlikely the 35-year-old would have started anyway. Darron Gibson and Anderson could again miss out with the ‘flu.

Indeed, such is United’s paucity of options in midfield that Ferguson may turn to John O’Shea, whether Evra is fit to feature at left-back or not, or tuck Park Ji-Sung into a more central role.

However, United will again be without Wayne Rooney, who returns from a week’s training at Nike World campus in Portland on Saturday. The 25-year-old has responded well to the SPARQ programme according to United and could feature in upcoming fixtures against Wigan Athletic and Glasgow Rangers.

“Wayne has been doing really well,” assistant manager Phelan told Key 103 radio.

“He has been training really hard, working morning and afternoon. Our people out there who are looking after him have been really pleased with his attitude and approach. All being well he can have a nice easy flight back.

“We will see where he is at on Monday but we think he will have improved immensely.”

In the striker’s stead Ferguson is likely to restore Javier Hernández to the United line-up alongside Dimitar Berbatov and Nani in attack. Despite beginning the season in fine form the Bulgarian has not now scored in nine matches, since hitting a hat-trick against Liverpool in September.

Meanwhile, United continues to chase a rare win on the road this season. Ferguson’s side has just one Premier League victory away from Old Trafford – at Stoke City. With six Premier League draws already, midfielder Darren Fletcher says that United must get back to winning ways at Villa Park this weekend.

“People are talking about us not losing but we have drawn too many, especially away from home,” said Fletcher.

“We have to start winning our away games if we want to push up this league. You can’t afford to draw too many games, otherwise you will get left behind.

“Overall, you would be better winning two games out of three and losing the other one rather than winning one and drawing two.

“That is why we were disappointed on Wednesday. We could have got the win and felt we produced a performance good enough to get us one.”

Indeed, United might be further than four points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea but for the Londoners own inconsistencies. Without Frank Lampard until December and with Michael Essien now banned for three matches, United might benefit from further slips by Carlo Ancelotti’s men in the coming weeks.

It is up to Ferguson’s team to take full advantage at a ground where the Reds have not lost since the opening day of the 1995/6 season. The 3-1 defeat prompted BBC pundit Alan Hansen to declare that United could “win nothing with kids.” The rest, as the cliché goes, is history with United ending the season with a second double in three years.

Villa, though,  has won just once in 27 games against United – the 1-0 win at Old Trafford last season – but could be without 10 players for the Reds’ visit. Carlos Cuellar and Habib Beye also dropped out of the Villa squad this week, while former City midfielder Stephen Ireland is doubtful with ‘flu.

Houllier will again rely on younger players for United’s visit, although the former Liverpool manager boasts a surprisingly good record against Ferguson.

“Sir Alex said to me ‘you are more successful against Manchester United than even Bob Paisley.’ But they’ve won more titles!” said the former French FA technical director.

“Villa have not won against United (at home) for a long time. I would say that at some stage it has to stop.

“It already stopped in a way last year because Villa won at Old Trafford for the first time in 25 encounters or something like that.

“We hope in front of our fans, we give the best of ourselves and get a result.”

It may take something special. After all United remains the only unbeaten team in the country.

Opposition
Villa – 442 – Friedel; Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Albrighton, Clark, Bannan, Downing; Ashley Young, Agbonlahor. Subs from: Guzan, Hogg, Lowry, Johnson, Lichaj, Delfouneso, Sidwell, Delph, Salifou, Osbourne.

United squad
Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Amos, Rafael, Brown, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Obertan, Bébé, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Hernández, Macheda.

Officials
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant referees: Simon Beck & Simon Long
Fourth official: Martin Atkinson

Form
Villa – DWWDDW
United – WWWWWD