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Prem Preview: Aston Villa – Manchester United
What: Barclays Premier League, Matchday 14
Who: Aston Villa (5th, 23 pts) vs. Manchester United (3rd, 24 pts)
When: Saturday, 22nd November, 17:30 GMT
Where: Villa Park, Birmingham
Nov 21, 2008 12:09:35 PM
Same Again Please
Last weekend’s trip to the Emirates couldn’t have gone better for Aston Villa. Dominant from start to finish, they outplayed Arsenal and thoroughly deserved the three points after recording a 2-0 victory.
The cavalier Gunners were cut down in their tracks as Villa’s game-plan of keeping it tight and hitting their opponents on the break came up trumps.
Before Gael Clichy’s own goal, they had already missed a penalty and created several opportunities.
The star man was lightning-fast forward Gabriel Agbonlahor. An excellent display saw him net an 80th minute strike which must have impressed Fabio Capello enough to get him a start for England in mid-week.
Martin O’Neill will be banking on the Birmingham-born forward continuing this impressive form if the team are to improve on their abysmal record against the ‘Big Four.’
The Villans’ win in London was only their second in their last 36 meetings with the Premier League glitterati.
Even at their Villa Park home, the 2-0 result against Chelsea last season gives them a poor record of one victory in 18. To realise chairman Randy Lerner’s ambitions, this must improve.
Consistency hasn’t come easily though. In the last month, Villa built up a head of steam to challenge for a Champions League place after victories against Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic, but followed this up with two defeats on the bounce to Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.
Falling to the Red Devils will be no embarrassment. But after working so hard to be level on points with Arsenal, a great result will send a statement of intent that they mean business this year.
Home Away From Home
There must be something about Aston Villa that makes United merciless. The champions have an incredible record against them, coming into this game looking for their 12th victory on the spin.
Even at Villa Park, United still dominate the Midlands side. Last season’s 4-1 victory was the only time in six years that they’ve conceded a goal.
Such statistics will be comforting to Sir Alex Ferguson whose criticism of mid-season international friendlies will have increased in the last few days. The Scotsman saw Dimitar Berbatov return from heavy defeat against Nemanja Vidic’s Serbia with a hamstring strain, and globetrotting stars Anderson, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo arrive back in Manchester after a 6,000 mile trip from Brazil.
News on the home front wasn’t much better as Wes Brown’s injured ankle went under the surgeon’s knife. The England right-back will be unavailable until January.
Fergie will also be aware that now might not be the best time to meet the Villa. They were stunning in their 2-0 victory against an Arsenal team that comprehensively outplayed his side just two weeks ago.
Martin O’Neill’s men kept it tight during that game, and United should expect a much closer affair than the two league meetings between them last year that resulted in a nine goal haul for the champions.
United did bounce back from their disappointing turn around at the Emirates by thumping Stoke City 5-0 last Saturday.
Once again, golden boy Cristiano Ronaldo was amongst the scorers. However, the headlines went to 17-year-old striker Danny Welbeck after his sublime 30-yard drive.
The Manchester lad could be called on again with Berbatov absent. Another show-stealing cameo could hand the points to United against their most accommodating hosts.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United:
15th November vs. Stoke City (H) won 5-0 (PREM)
11th November vs. Queens Park Rangers (H) won 1-0 (CARLING CUP)
8th November vs. Arsenal (A) lost 2-1 (PREM)
5th November vs. Celtic (A) drew 1-1 (CHAMP LG)
1st November vs. Hull City (H) won 4-3 (PREM)
Aston Villa:
15th November vs. Arsenal (A) won 2-0 (PREM)
9th November vs. Middlesbrough (H) lost 2-1 (PREM)
6th November vs. Slavia Prague (A) won 1-0 (UEFA CUP)
3rd November vs. Newcastle United (A) lost 2-0 (PREM)
29th October vs. Blackburn Rovers (H) won 3-2 (PREM)
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa:
Spanish centre back Carlos Cuellar (thigh) misses out on the visit of Manchester United. Villa fans will be happy to hear that John Carew and Nicky Shorey will feature after recent injury absences.
Last starting XI (vs. Arsenal): Friedel, Cuellar, Laursen, Davies, Luke Young, Ashley Young, Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Carew, Knight, Salifou, Reo-Coker, Gardner.
Squad: Friedel, Guzan, L Young, Shorey, Davies, Laursen, Knight, Milner, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, A Young, Osbourne, Salifou, Carew, Agbonlahor, Harewood, Delfouneso, Gardner.
Manchester United:
Sir Alex Ferguson is reeling from the news that Wes Brown (ankle) will be out until January and Dimitar Berbatov (hamstring) will miss United’s next two games. They join Paul Scholes (knee) and Owen Hargreaves (knee) on the sidelines. Rio Ferdinand (back) faces a late fitness test.
Last starting XI (vs. Stoke City): Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher (Gibson 63), Park (Welbeck 63), Tevez (Manucho 74), Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Anderson, Nani, Rafael Da Silva.
Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Rafael, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Park, Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Tevez, Welbeck.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aston Villa: As Gabriel Agbonlahor sped past William Gallas, he sealed Villa’s 2-0 win against Arsenal and confirmed the Midlanders' position in the race for 4th place. Agbonlahor was sensational, causing the Gunners problems throughout the game as his pace stretched their defence to breaking-point. He put in a good shift again in mid-week for England as he nearly capped off his first start with a goal. If he can continue this form, then the Villa might have enough to break their United hoodoo.
Manchester United: In the absence of many England regulars, Michael Carrick performed admirably in Berlin. Calmly retaining possession and breaking up German play, Carrick was one of the Three Lions' best performers in the 2-1 victory. The ex-Spurs man was continuing his good form since his return from injury. This has even included goals against Hull City and Stoke City. With Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves injured, plus Anderson suffering jet lag from his trip to Brazil, Carrick must continue to step up to the plate for his club.
PREDICTION
Going by the form book, this is one of the easiest games to predict in the Premier League.
Last weekend’s trip to the Emirates could have changed all that for Martin O’Neill’s men. They were top-class then and a repeat of that performance will test the champions' mettle.
United should still come out on top, but it won’t be an easy day out in the Midlands for the Red Devils this time.
Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United
Matt Monaghan
Last weekend’s trip to the Emirates couldn’t have gone better for Aston Villa. Dominant from start to finish, they outplayed Arsenal and thoroughly deserved the three points after recording a 2-0 victory.
The cavalier Gunners were cut down in their tracks as Villa’s game-plan of keeping it tight and hitting their opponents on the break came up trumps.
Before Gael Clichy’s own goal, they had already missed a penalty and created several opportunities.
The star man was lightning-fast forward Gabriel Agbonlahor. An excellent display saw him net an 80th minute strike which must have impressed Fabio Capello enough to get him a start for England in mid-week.
Martin O’Neill will be banking on the Birmingham-born forward continuing this impressive form if the team are to improve on their abysmal record against the ‘Big Four.’
The Villans’ win in London was only their second in their last 36 meetings with the Premier League glitterati.
Even at their Villa Park home, the 2-0 result against Chelsea last season gives them a poor record of one victory in 18. To realise chairman Randy Lerner’s ambitions, this must improve.
Consistency hasn’t come easily though. In the last month, Villa built up a head of steam to challenge for a Champions League place after victories against Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic, but followed this up with two defeats on the bounce to Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.
Falling to the Red Devils will be no embarrassment. But after working so hard to be level on points with Arsenal, a great result will send a statement of intent that they mean business this year.
Home Away From Home
There must be something about Aston Villa that makes United merciless. The champions have an incredible record against them, coming into this game looking for their 12th victory on the spin.
Even at Villa Park, United still dominate the Midlands side. Last season’s 4-1 victory was the only time in six years that they’ve conceded a goal.
Such statistics will be comforting to Sir Alex Ferguson whose criticism of mid-season international friendlies will have increased in the last few days. The Scotsman saw Dimitar Berbatov return from heavy defeat against Nemanja Vidic’s Serbia with a hamstring strain, and globetrotting stars Anderson, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo arrive back in Manchester after a 6,000 mile trip from Brazil.
News on the home front wasn’t much better as Wes Brown’s injured ankle went under the surgeon’s knife. The England right-back will be unavailable until January.
Fergie will also be aware that now might not be the best time to meet the Villa. They were stunning in their 2-0 victory against an Arsenal team that comprehensively outplayed his side just two weeks ago.
Martin O’Neill’s men kept it tight during that game, and United should expect a much closer affair than the two league meetings between them last year that resulted in a nine goal haul for the champions.
United did bounce back from their disappointing turn around at the Emirates by thumping Stoke City 5-0 last Saturday.
Once again, golden boy Cristiano Ronaldo was amongst the scorers. However, the headlines went to 17-year-old striker Danny Welbeck after his sublime 30-yard drive.
The Manchester lad could be called on again with Berbatov absent. Another show-stealing cameo could hand the points to United against their most accommodating hosts.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United:
15th November vs. Stoke City (H) won 5-0 (PREM)
11th November vs. Queens Park Rangers (H) won 1-0 (CARLING CUP)
8th November vs. Arsenal (A) lost 2-1 (PREM)
5th November vs. Celtic (A) drew 1-1 (CHAMP LG)
1st November vs. Hull City (H) won 4-3 (PREM)
Aston Villa:
15th November vs. Arsenal (A) won 2-0 (PREM)
9th November vs. Middlesbrough (H) lost 2-1 (PREM)
6th November vs. Slavia Prague (A) won 1-0 (UEFA CUP)
3rd November vs. Newcastle United (A) lost 2-0 (PREM)
29th October vs. Blackburn Rovers (H) won 3-2 (PREM)
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa:
Spanish centre back Carlos Cuellar (thigh) misses out on the visit of Manchester United. Villa fans will be happy to hear that John Carew and Nicky Shorey will feature after recent injury absences.
Last starting XI (vs. Arsenal): Friedel, Cuellar, Laursen, Davies, Luke Young, Ashley Young, Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Carew, Knight, Salifou, Reo-Coker, Gardner.
Squad: Friedel, Guzan, L Young, Shorey, Davies, Laursen, Knight, Milner, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, A Young, Osbourne, Salifou, Carew, Agbonlahor, Harewood, Delfouneso, Gardner.
Manchester United:
Sir Alex Ferguson is reeling from the news that Wes Brown (ankle) will be out until January and Dimitar Berbatov (hamstring) will miss United’s next two games. They join Paul Scholes (knee) and Owen Hargreaves (knee) on the sidelines. Rio Ferdinand (back) faces a late fitness test.
Last starting XI (vs. Stoke City): Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher (Gibson 63), Park (Welbeck 63), Tevez (Manucho 74), Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Anderson, Nani, Rafael Da Silva.
Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Rafael, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Park, Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Tevez, Welbeck.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aston Villa: As Gabriel Agbonlahor sped past William Gallas, he sealed Villa’s 2-0 win against Arsenal and confirmed the Midlanders' position in the race for 4th place. Agbonlahor was sensational, causing the Gunners problems throughout the game as his pace stretched their defence to breaking-point. He put in a good shift again in mid-week for England as he nearly capped off his first start with a goal. If he can continue this form, then the Villa might have enough to break their United hoodoo.
Manchester United: In the absence of many England regulars, Michael Carrick performed admirably in Berlin. Calmly retaining possession and breaking up German play, Carrick was one of the Three Lions' best performers in the 2-1 victory. The ex-Spurs man was continuing his good form since his return from injury. This has even included goals against Hull City and Stoke City. With Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves injured, plus Anderson suffering jet lag from his trip to Brazil, Carrick must continue to step up to the plate for his club.
PREDICTION
Going by the form book, this is one of the easiest games to predict in the Premier League.
Last weekend’s trip to the Emirates could have changed all that for Martin O’Neill’s men. They were top-class then and a repeat of that performance will test the champions' mettle.
United should still come out on top, but it won’t be an easy day out in the Midlands for the Red Devils this time.
Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United
Matt Monaghan
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