Aston Villa suffered their first defeat in eleven games yesterday afternoon as Bruno Fernandes’ first-half goal was the difference at Old Trafford.
Let’s hear Liam’s post-match thoughts about the players’ individual performances.
EMILIANO MARTΓNEZ – 7
“Yet another strong game from the Argentine number one who made five saves on the day, including a superb stop to deny Marcus Rashford one-on-one after 12 minutes. It would have been an eighth clean sheet in eleven games for the 30-year-old (something the World Cup winner deserved) if it wasn’t for a deflection off full-back Γlex Moreno following Bruno Fernandes’ rebounded effort in the 39th minute. Naturally Dibu will be disappointed with the goal – with the perfectionist he is – but it was a good showing between the sticks nonetheless.”
ASHLEY YOUNG – 5
“Ashley Young struggled on his return to Old Trafford; the veteran full-back had a tough day up against a tricky Jadon Sancho. United’s 23-year-old winger’s pace and trickery proved too much at times and Villa’s number 18 was often outwitted down the United left. Young did enjoy the occasional spell of possession going forward, but was cut out frequently by the likes of Casemiro and Malacia. Not the 37-year-old’s strongest showing this season.”
Calum Chambers 64′: Filling in at right back off the bench for consecutive games, Chambers looked a bit shaky in possession but did well defensively against the likes of Marcus Rashford and Antony. The 28-year-old looked uncomfortable on the ball, but you cannot fault the man for helping out on the right whilst Matty Cash remains unavailable. 6
EZRI KONSA – 7
“Certainly one of Villa’s best players on the day, but for a small lapse of judgement for the game’s sole goal, allowing Marcus Rashford to run through after following a goal kick. Outside of the mistake, Konsa was solid at the heart of the defence and often shunned the United attack alongside partner in crime Tyrone Mings. The number four contributed to several offside traps – something that would have pleased Unai Emery – and won the second most fouls in the game (3). The 25-year-old will be disappointed by his part in the goal however, and will look to put it right against Wolves next week.”
TYRONE MINGS – 7
“A okay display at the back from the number five who had the toughest job of anyone in a Villa shirt, dealing with Marcus Rashford. The 30-year-old was reasonably wasteful in possession, giving the ball away carelessly on a handful of occasions, but did put a stop to a number of Manchester United counter-attacks, using his pace and strength well. At the other end, Mings was unlucky not to bag his second goal of the week after having a header denied by his own teammate late in the second-half.
ΓLEX MORENO – 6
“One of the Spaniard’s weakest games of recent weeks and you’d argue Villa’s January signing should have bagged his first goal for the club in the first-half after being denied by David de Gea from close-range following Emi BuendΓa’s 19th minute cut-back. United saw a lot of space down the right due to Moreno’s attacking tendencies and it was Bruno Fernandes who capitilised on this for the goal, getting an extra yard on the full-back whose deflection took it away from Emi MartΓnez for the game winner.”
Lucas Digne 75′: the Frenchmen couldn’t make the same difference off the bench and contribute to an equaliser like he did against Brentford a couple games ago. A quiet 15-minutes cameo off the bench from the number 27. 6
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DOUGLAS LUIZ – 7
“A strong display from Douglas Luiz at the Theatre of Dreams yesterday, despite dominant performances from his midfield counterparts. The Brazilian has really found his calling in this Unai Emery system and has his role down to a tee. The 24-year-old was effective at both ends of the pitch, registering four tackles (the most in the game by any player) and a key pass [WhoScored] in 90 minutes. The number six was unlucky not to find another late equaliser on the road when Victor LindelΓΆf cleared his strike – which looked destined for the top corner – off the line in the 81st minute. Luiz was seen in conversation with his Brazilian amigos at the break and at full-time – surely another international call-up is on the horizon?”
LEANDER DENDONCKER – 6
“A difficult day for Dendoncker at Old Trafford up against a world class Manchester United midfield. The Red Devils’ quality really showed in the middle of the pitch which left the Belgian helpless at times. It was often a 3v2 in the center; an overload that benefited the home side regularly throughout the 90 minutes, leaving gaps through the Villa midfield lines. When on the ball, the 27-year-old tried to get play going and generate attacks, but the former Wolves man was thwarted time and time again just like his midfield compatriots.”
Bertrand TraorΓ© 64′: a really quiet cameo from the winger who couldn’t find the heroics off the bench like he did against both Leicester and Nottingham Forest. The 27-year-old saw very little of the ball in the 25 minutes he was on the pitch and barely impacted proceedings. 5
JOHN MCGINN – 7
“Another spirited and hearty display from the Villa captain on a rainy afternoon in Manchester. The Scotsman won a staggering six fouls yesterday (three more than any other player) and was probably Villa’s most effective midfielder going forward, despite Tyrell Malacia’s stalwart performance at left-back. McGinn fired an effort from the edge wide on his right foot and couldn’t quite replicate Tuesday’s assist against Fulham, despite a number of good balls into the box from set-pieces.”
JACOB RAMSEY – 6
“It just wasn’t Jacob Ramsey’s day yesterday in Manchester who, in his defence, was up against a formidable and faultless Casemiro. The young midfielder always looked to drive with the ball when it arrived at his feet – like he often does – but was quickly dispossessed or closed down by the Reds’ middle-man. Ramsey had a good effort blocked by LindelΓΆf in the 61st minute after a superb exchange of passes from the away side, but was overall kept at bay by a robust and relentless Manchester United. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up.”
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EMILIANO BUENDΓA – 5
“A lacklustre showing from Villa’s number ten yesterday who showed his typical passion and desire on the pitch but sadly lacked any real quality in the final third. Emery revealed how he instructed the record-signing to drift to the wings and assist the wide players when looking to create – something that he attempted to do – but United’s defensive players were well too aware and kept the 26-year-old quiet. This, in turn, frustrated the former Norwich man who was disappointing defensively too – refusing to back track on more than one occasion.“
Jhon Duran 76′: an encouraging first appearance in four games from the Colombian who couldn’t quite get a sight of goal late on. The young forward was a physical outlet up top and showed his physical abilities and fight during a heated battle with Luke Shaw. The hunt for the 19-year-old’s first Villa goal goes on. 6
OLLIE WATKINS – 6
“A third consecutive game without a goal for Ollie Watkins who was once again shut out by the opposition defence yesterday afternoon. Villa’s top scorer was unlucky not to get on the end of BuendΓa’s pull-back in the 19th minute after slipping, but aside from this had very little joy at Old Trafford and was well handled by United’s make-shift back two of LindelΓΆf and Shaw. Watkins’ performances will be crucial heading into the remaining four fixtures of the season and he will be desperate to get back on the score sheet at Molineux next weekend to help his side to a European finish.”
Subs not used: Olsen, Diego Carlos, Revan, O’Reilly and K. Young.
THE OPPOSITION
Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, LindelΓΆf, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen (Fred 76′), Sabitzer (Maguire 86′); Sancho (Antony 76′), Fernandes, Rashford (Martial 86′).
Subs not used: Butland, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Pellistri and Weghorst.
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Thumbnail Media Credit: www.avfc.co.uk
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