VAR is once again centre of attention- surprise surprise!
Aston Villa crash out of the FA Cup at the 3rd round stage for the sixth season in a row. Arguably the better side on the night, a combination of VAR and wasted chances saw Manchester United come away 1-0 winners!
Rematch next year no doubt, same place, same time!
Let’s see how the fans rated our boys in Claret and Blue!
STARTING LINE-UP
Formation 4-3-3
Emi Martinez – 7
Don’t think Martinez had a chance in stopping McTominay’s header from close range. For the following 90 minutes, his job was simple and he carried out his duties calmly. Don’t feel he was tested too much but did everything he needed when called upon.
Rating contribution from Hannah Gowen
Matty Cash – 7
Had an intriguing battle with Marcus Rashford in the first half. Got the better of the England international in the second 45 and caused Shaw a headache when he pushed on. Made a crucial block from a Fernandes strike and also went close from a long range effort of his own, with De Gea stretching to turn the ball wide. A few sloppy passes late on but overall a solid display from Villa’s reliable number 2.
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
Ezri Konsa – 5
Not up to his usual standard today. He wasn’t atrocious, but he could have done better for the goal; way too passive.
He was denied what would have been a nice little assist by that absolute joke of a VAR decision.
He made a decent driving run on goal late in the second half but his effort was tame and easily denied.
Bad day at the office really.
Rating contribution from James Madge
Tyrone Mings – 5
Villa’s captain was arguably at fault for the only goal of the game as McTominay is gifted a free header in the centre of the box, but other Villa defenders certainly could’ve done more to prevent it too. Aside from this, Tyrone Mings had a relatively quiet night on his return to the side, tidying up when needing to and attempting to progress play from deep. An average display earns him an average rating.
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
Matt Targett – 6
It was a massive game for him with all speculation surrounding Digne, unfortunately, this performance was the reason we are looking at an upgrade. The first half he was found wanting too many times defensively and going forward just isn’t a big enough creator of chances to keep the new manager satisfied.
A very able deputy but I fear his long term position now is massively under threat.
Rating contribution from Justin Hawthorne
Douglas Luiz – 7
Douglas Luiz has been under some slight scrutiny recently, but tonight I feel he pressed Man United constantly. In times where the midfield seemed panicked, he held his positioning well and I feel he, as did the rest of the team, did well in battles and winning second balls.
Rating contribution from Hannah Gowen
John McGinn – 8
A superb performance from John McGinn!
He forced De Gea into a good save with a fiercely hit effort from outside the area in the first half. Set’s the tone in the middle park, if he’s not flying into tackles, he’s playing delicate through balls or pinging pin-point cross-field passes. Excellent display.
Will be sorely missed on Saturday.
Rating contribution from Ryan Mckeown
Jacob Ramsey – 6.5
Always happy to show for the ball but his passing radar was slightly off in the early exchanges. Awarded a yellow which the TV cameras did not pick up. Ramsey went agonisingly close on the 31st minute which trickled wide after a McTominay deflection. He was responsible for the disallowed goal as he was deemed to have interfered with Cavani’s half-hearted attempts to get to Konsa. Not vintage JJ but bright and busy.
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
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Emi Buendia – 6.5
Once again, he showed some real moments of class, even if his efforts didn’t count for anything in the end.
He embarked on a twisting, jinking run early on but his cross-cum-shot flashed just wide.
He had another half decent effort in the first period, after some lovely one-touch interplay with Watkins, but it was straight at De Gea.
He continues to improve, but ultimately it was a frustrating game for him and he was replaced by Anwar El Ghazi late on.
Rating contribution from James Madge
Danny Ings – 5
The Villa striker struggled to get involved with the forward play in the first 45 minutes, with Watkins and Buendia seeing most of the ball in United’s half. Ings had a goal incorrectly ruled out by VAR just after half-time, after Jacob Ramsey was deemed to have fouled Edinson Cavani earlier in the play. Ings looked a lot livelier as the game progressed, but that one chance just wouldn’t present itself. The 29 year-old will be more frustrated than anyone at Michael Oliver’s bewildering decision, and he will look to avenge his disallowed goal at Villa Park on Saturday.
Rating contribution from Liam Davies
Ollie Watkins – 7.5
Selected once again In what looked like a fluid front three with Ings and Buendia and didnt disappoint with his workrate once again. He can never be accused of not trying, but his Achilles heal is his finishing, created a glorious chance by chasing down a mistake and opening up the goal but just couldn’t put it away, imo for him to go on and become the top top level striker we are all craving he simply has to improve his chance conversion rate. There will come a time where workrate will not be enough, especially in tight games like this.
Rating contribution from Justin Hawthorne
Substitutions
Anwar El Ghazi – 3
In a brief cameo, he looked out of sorts, out of form, and out of ideas. Lashed a shot into the stands in stoppage time, which summed his appearance up.
Rating contribution from James Madge
Philogene-Bidace – N/A
A few nice touches and won Villa a corner but not on long enough to see his full array of tricks.
Rating contribution from Joey Millington
Subs not used: Jed Steer, Viljami Sinisalo, Morgan Sanson, Kortney Hause, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cameron Archer, Tim Iroegbunam.
Goals
Manchester United: McTominay (8)
Opposition
Manchester United, 4-2-3-1: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes (Lingard, 85), Rashford (Elanga, 85); Cavani (de Beek, 70).
Subs not used: Heaton, Alex Telles, Wan-Bissaka, Amad, Mata, Matic.
THE BOSS
UP NEXT
Villa Park | Saturday 15th January | 5.30pm
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