Manutd.com report: Man Utd 3 - 2 Aston Villa
Van Der Sar
O'Shea - Neville (c) - Evans - Evra
Ronaldo - Carrick - Fletcher - Nani (Macheda 61')
Giggs
Tevez (Welbeck 88')
scorers:
Ronaldo 13', 81'
Macheda 90'+
The past week of international matches was a break that Man Utd needed after 2 defeats in the Premier League saw their lead at top reduced to 1 point but with that precious game in hand still. Back to domestic affairs, only the day before they had seen Liverpool scraped out a last-gasp winner against Fulham, the team Man Utd failed to beat 2 weeks ago. Liverpool are leaders for the 1st time in awhile and put pressure on Man Utd to win this home encounter against Aston Villa.
There was already trouble before this match with regular central defenders Ferdinand and Vidic ruled out and their one true talisman in Rooney also suspended and Berbatov was injured. It was nevertheless a chance for Man Utd to test their strength in depth.
Aston Villa started the match very well, surprisingly having the majority of the possession and Man Utd looking very off-colour indeed. It was a bit fortunate when Man Utd took the lead through Ronaldo. GK Friedel had handled Milner's pass inside the penalty box and the indirect free-kick for backpass led to a Ronaldo soft thunderbolt from 6 yards out which the entire Villa wall and Friedel were unable to keep out.
Aston Villa responded in the best way possible. Neville, starting his first game since January, have had an awful game so far struggling to cope with Carew's physical presence. Barry's cross from the right was met by Carew's towering header with Neville totally losing his quarry. 1-1 after 30 minutes. Neville was soon shifted on the right while O'Shea slotted in alongside Evans.
After the break, Man Utd seemed to have been shaken by a dressing room shakedown and started to inject more energy into their play. Yet Aston Villa nicked ahead to take the lead on the counter-attack when Ronaldo, having lost the ball in Villa's half, was lazy to win it back. The quick release on the left flank found Carew who crossed in behind Man Utd's defence to a lurking Agbonlahor and the young striker was was able to head in a good goal.
Shortly after the goal, surprisingly, Sir Alex decided to test his squad's depth by bringing on 17 year old Italian striker Macheda, unsurprisingly for a disappointing Nani. Macheda, who had netted a hat-trick in a Reserves game in that past week, was making his debut.
Villa were then on the backfoot for the remainder of the match and while Man Utd had to watch out for the quick breakaway attacks, they were giving Villa a piece of their mind as the game became more stretched.
Ronaldo made up for his laziness to finally send Man Utd's crowd blazing when some neat interchanging play on the edge of the Villa box saw the Portugese winger scored past a despairing Friedel into the low corner of the net.
With 10 minutes left to play, plus stoppage time, Man Utd tried to score that winning goal but Villa were standing their ground. Unfortunately for Villa fans, Macheda, having had a good game since his introduction, stabbed their hearts with a wonderful injury time winner.
Ratings:
Van Der Sar (6): His confidence must be shaken after conceding 8 goals in his last 3 games.
O'Shea (7): Initially started at right-back but was better than Neville when a shuffle in defence saw him playing in central defence.
Evra (6): Kept Milner quiet but was generally unproductive going forward when his team-mates failed to really utilize his forward runs.
Neville (6): Nightmare central defensive start but found his home later when he was deployed on the right and got forward well whenever he could.
Evans (6): It has been a long season for Evans. The post-season break will do wonders for his confidence.
Ronaldo (6): On any day, 2 goals for one single player would have been rewarding and been taken with more notice. But Ronaldo got his goals in spite of an indifferent display.
Nani (4): Still rusty and generally looks to be on his way out with no real marked improvement in this game.
Carrick (6): Still rusty and generally looks to be on his way out with no real marked improvement in this game.
Fletcher (6): Was hardworking and industrious.
Giggs (6): His passing was quite atrocious at times but Villa were playing well to peg Man Utd's attacks.
Tevez (6): Was only in the side because of Rooney's suspension and Berbatov's injury. Understandably must be tired after a long trip from Bolivia after his exertions with Argentina.
Subs:
Macheda (7): To score on a debut is promising. To score the way he did was marvellous. One to watch out for.
Welbeck (6): Had a look-in at goal when he came on in the dying minutes.
akim
O'Shea - Neville (c) - Evans - Evra
Ronaldo - Carrick - Fletcher - Nani (Macheda 61')
Giggs
Tevez (Welbeck 88')
scorers:
Ronaldo 13', 81'
Macheda 90'+
The past week of international matches was a break that Man Utd needed after 2 defeats in the Premier League saw their lead at top reduced to 1 point but with that precious game in hand still. Back to domestic affairs, only the day before they had seen Liverpool scraped out a last-gasp winner against Fulham, the team Man Utd failed to beat 2 weeks ago. Liverpool are leaders for the 1st time in awhile and put pressure on Man Utd to win this home encounter against Aston Villa.
There was already trouble before this match with regular central defenders Ferdinand and Vidic ruled out and their one true talisman in Rooney also suspended and Berbatov was injured. It was nevertheless a chance for Man Utd to test their strength in depth.
Aston Villa started the match very well, surprisingly having the majority of the possession and Man Utd looking very off-colour indeed. It was a bit fortunate when Man Utd took the lead through Ronaldo. GK Friedel had handled Milner's pass inside the penalty box and the indirect free-kick for backpass led to a Ronaldo soft thunderbolt from 6 yards out which the entire Villa wall and Friedel were unable to keep out.
Aston Villa responded in the best way possible. Neville, starting his first game since January, have had an awful game so far struggling to cope with Carew's physical presence. Barry's cross from the right was met by Carew's towering header with Neville totally losing his quarry. 1-1 after 30 minutes. Neville was soon shifted on the right while O'Shea slotted in alongside Evans.
After the break, Man Utd seemed to have been shaken by a dressing room shakedown and started to inject more energy into their play. Yet Aston Villa nicked ahead to take the lead on the counter-attack when Ronaldo, having lost the ball in Villa's half, was lazy to win it back. The quick release on the left flank found Carew who crossed in behind Man Utd's defence to a lurking Agbonlahor and the young striker was was able to head in a good goal.
Shortly after the goal, surprisingly, Sir Alex decided to test his squad's depth by bringing on 17 year old Italian striker Macheda, unsurprisingly for a disappointing Nani. Macheda, who had netted a hat-trick in a Reserves game in that past week, was making his debut.
Villa were then on the backfoot for the remainder of the match and while Man Utd had to watch out for the quick breakaway attacks, they were giving Villa a piece of their mind as the game became more stretched.
Ronaldo made up for his laziness to finally send Man Utd's crowd blazing when some neat interchanging play on the edge of the Villa box saw the Portugese winger scored past a despairing Friedel into the low corner of the net.
With 10 minutes left to play, plus stoppage time, Man Utd tried to score that winning goal but Villa were standing their ground. Unfortunately for Villa fans, Macheda, having had a good game since his introduction, stabbed their hearts with a wonderful injury time winner.
Ratings:
Van Der Sar (6): His confidence must be shaken after conceding 8 goals in his last 3 games.
O'Shea (7): Initially started at right-back but was better than Neville when a shuffle in defence saw him playing in central defence.
Evra (6): Kept Milner quiet but was generally unproductive going forward when his team-mates failed to really utilize his forward runs.
Neville (6): Nightmare central defensive start but found his home later when he was deployed on the right and got forward well whenever he could.
Evans (6): It has been a long season for Evans. The post-season break will do wonders for his confidence.
Ronaldo (6): On any day, 2 goals for one single player would have been rewarding and been taken with more notice. But Ronaldo got his goals in spite of an indifferent display.
Nani (4): Still rusty and generally looks to be on his way out with no real marked improvement in this game.
Carrick (6): Still rusty and generally looks to be on his way out with no real marked improvement in this game.
Fletcher (6): Was hardworking and industrious.
Giggs (6): His passing was quite atrocious at times but Villa were playing well to peg Man Utd's attacks.
Tevez (6): Was only in the side because of Rooney's suspension and Berbatov's injury. Understandably must be tired after a long trip from Bolivia after his exertions with Argentina.
Subs:
Macheda (7): To score on a debut is promising. To score the way he did was marvellous. One to watch out for.
Welbeck (6): Had a look-in at goal when he came on in the dying minutes.
akim
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