Aston Villa vs Manchester United

MUSCMY December 3rd, 2011

0 - 1

Jones (20)

Match Report

Versatile youngster Phil Jones popped up with a close range strike to ensure Manchester United hold on to their 2nd place spot in the Barclays Premier League.

United regain their 2nd spot after a win against Aston Villa which leaves them 5 points behind leaders Manchester City & 1 point behind third place Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils controlled the match in the first half from start to finish which had to last 53 minutes after the in form United striker, Javier Hernandez, had to be stretchered off because of an ankle injury which he sustained in the 7th minute in one of United’s attack.

That prompted Alex Ferguson to push Wayne Rooney up top with Aston Villa old boy, Ashley Young playing in the hole behind Rooney. The Red Devils moved the ball well through the middle and on both flanks with Nani on the left & Valencia, who replaced Hernandez, on the right and was duly rewarded after a swift move down the left wing which Nani then whipped in a beautiful cross to Jones who was left unmarked in the six yard box and cooly side foots the ball into the goal.

Things went all wrong for Villa after veteran keeper Shay Given had to be hauled off after pulling a hamstring while rushing off from his line to prevent another counter attack by United on the left.

United continued their attacking threat in the second half and had the ball in the net on the 90th minute, but Welbeck was ruled offside. The match ended 0-1 to the visitors with Lindegaard keeping another clean sheet for United.