Aston Villa play hosts to Manchester United on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League. After Monday’s 3rd Round FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford ended in a controversial fashion, it’s Manchester United’s turn to make the journey down the M6 to Villa Park.
Ahead of the big kick-off, I spoke to Rhys James from The Red Devils Den to gather his thoughts on the upcoming game, we discuss Monday nights VAR controversy, Anthony Elanga’s potential and Ralf Rangnick’s start as interim boss.
UTV PODCAST x THE RED DEVILS DEN
After the controversial VAR decision in the cup game earlier this week and the arrival of Phillipe Coutinho, Villa Park is bound to be buzzing come Saturday night, do you think that United will let Villa capitalise on that or do you think that you will control the game?
I do think Villa will control large periods of the game. There will no doubt be a great atmosphere and it makes sense that Villa would try to use that to their advantage. United have struggled to control games particularly this season, and when a team gets a grip on proceedings United find it difficult to get back into it, like we saw in the second half on Monday.
There has been a lack of work rate and aggression this year from us which is in contrast to the last couple of seasons, the players don’t seem to win their duels and if a team plays aggressively against us we find it difficult.
It’s just a case of when you do create chances, will you take them. While he isn’t a modern style goalkeeper, oftentimes David De Gea has bailed United out this season with some fantastic saves, including one or two in the cup game. It wouldn’t surprise me if it happened again.
Rhys James, The Red Devil Den
19 year-old Anthony Elanga made a brief appearance in the closing five minutes of the game and seemed to have the better of a tired Matty Cash, would you like to see Rangnick trust his youth players and play him from the start following Marcus Rashford’s Old Trafford performance?
Although it’s possible, especially since we don’t know Rangnick that well yet, I don’t think Elanga will play from the start. If Jadon Sancho is fit I’d expect to see him play, since he’s been one of our better players recently, barring the Wolves game. If he is still injured, I’d expect to see Rashford play given Elanga’s inexperience, especially since this is a tough away game it isn’t the right game to start him in. If he does start though, he can be a dangerous player especially since the Villa players and the coaches won’t know him very well. Pace and directness is probably his biggest asset – and he can score too, so it would be an interesting one.
There have been reliable reports that Rashford is performing well in training and showing a good mentality despite his performances in matches, and that the changes of manager, tactical instructions and formations are contributing to his poor performances. This is why I think he will return to form soon, a goal may be all he needs and that could come on Saturday if he plays.
Rhys James, The Red Devils Den
Rangnick has picked up a combined 10 points out of a possible 15 from his first five games, as well as picking up a draw in Europe and advancing to the fourth round of the cup which could be considered a very successful start to his reign, however United fans still aren’t happy with the performances. Where do you think he is going wrong? Is it just a case of him needing time?
The performances definitely haven’t been good enough. It’s obviously very difficult to get a team who were playing so poorly and who were so low on confidence to start playing well again.
Rangnick does need time, and I think the more time he gets the more we should start to see more organised, team performances. There has been a huge lack of cohesion this season in the team, and Rangnick said this is something he wants to change – he often mentions how he wants his team to control games more.For the first time since he took over, he had a week on the training ground with the players before the Villa FA Cup game, which will have helped a lot. There were rumours about players being confused as to what he wanted them to do in possession, and apparently he took that on board and gave that guidance in the days before the match – this is likely partly why we saw a better performance, at least in the first half.
With another 4 or so days of training on top of that before the league game, we could see even more cohesion in the team. Let’s see.
Rhys James, The Red Devil Den
Finally, what are your predictions for the game?
I think it will be a draw – my prediction is 1-1. Both teams will likely have periods where they create chances and I think both will take at least one. United have come away with undeserved wins a lot this season, though, so it may happen again. It will be an interesting one to watch.
Rhys James, The Red Devil Den
OPPOSITION TEAM NEWS
Manchester United will be without Monday’s match-winner Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw, they face suspensions for an accumulation of yellow cards.
United hope to welcome back Harry Maguire and Phil Jones to starting eleven following their injuries.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho both sat out Monday’s cup games but Ronaldo has revealed that he is confident he will be able to make a return.
Eric Bailly and Hannibal Mejbri are both away on international duty at the African Cup Of Nations.
FORM GUIDE
PREMIER LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD
Aston Villa Wins | 4 (2 Home)
Drawn | 12
Manchester United Wins | 37 (17 Away)
THE LAST 3
LAST TIME OUT | Aston Villa 1-3 Manchester United
Bertrand Traoré’s stunning goal was in vain as Aston Villa narrowly lost out to Manchester United at Villa Park.
The winger scored a Goal of the Season contender to cap a strong first half display as the hosts kept second place United at bay to lead 1-0.
But after the break, two goals in four minutes from Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood turned the game on its head before Edinson Cavani finished off the scoring late on as the Red Devils stretched their unbeaten away run to 25 Premier League games. (words from avfc.com)
A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION
What’s Going Wrong?
Manchester United have struggled so far this season despite the acquisitions of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo, but why?
Several things could be the reason why, such as the apparent panic buy of Ronaldo, from an outsider’s point of view it seems as though United bought Ronaldo without any real plan or idea as to what to do with him, meaning that United ended up with an admittedly brilliant player, but a player that is realistically ageing and isn’t going to be able to press the way that Rangnick wants him too. It seems as though United bought Ronaldo purely because they didn’t want him to go to their Manchester rivals.
Another reason why it may be going wrong for United could be the instability in terms of managers. Since Rangnick has come in, several players have struggled to implement his playing style, there is a much bigger emphasis on pressing, and several players such as Martial, Ronaldo and Rashford don’t enjoy the pressing side of the game.
However, it is not just pressing, since his arrival just a few months ago Rangnick has been trying to introduce the 4-2-2-2 formation, however, the United players have struggled with this and the lack of width effectively costing them three points against Wolves. This provides Rangnick with an important decision, does he carry on working on this new formation until the new manager comes in, or does he concentrate on winning games in a formation the team knows so that they can rescue their Champions League qualification push.
SCORE PREDICTION
I am expecting Villa Park to be buzzing following the arrival of Coutinho and Digne, and after the way, we were knocked out of the cup, I think all that will rub off on the players who will be more up for it than the United players.
I can see a much-needed statement victory from Gerrard, so I’m coming in with a 3-1 win, United scoring first through Ronaldo and Villa replying with a Watkins goal, a Coutinho debut goal and Ezri Konsa sealing the three points late on!
No matter what happens I hope you all enjoy the game and if you make it to Villa Park, make sure you take in the atmosphere and get Villa Park rocking.
Up The Villa!
Ellis.
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