How good was that, getting a win at Old Trafford against twelve men Man Utd?
It certainly doesn’t happen often and the last time it was a bit of a smash and grab.
This time though, it was totally deserved as we looked the better side for long periods.
It was an incredibly nervy game to watch, which is usually the case when we play them, but looking back now, I don’t think we were seriously tested much and Martinez never had more than bread and butter type stuff to cope with.
Greenwood looked a consistent threat for them and he worried me every time he got the ball, but even so, he was mostly reduced to long range shooting.
The biggest concern before the game was of course Ronaldo. But the truth is I’m struggling to think of anything he did at all. So much so, that I totally forgot about him. Did someone have him in their pocket or was he just ineffective? I don’t know, but I’m glad of it.
Good things first then and there were quite a few of them. John McGinn was back to his old self and did the work of two players. He was given a tough time and seemed to be targeted for a bit of treatment, but apart from one rush of blood to the head, where he swung a leg at one of their players, he took it pretty much in his stride and dished it out too, when required. An outstanding performance and probably a MOTM one too.
Matty Cash gave Luke shaw a torrid time and when Shaw went off, Cash still ruled the roost down the right. An eye catching performance from him too.
And Douglas Luiz impressed me too. He worked hard, anchoring the midfield and spreading the play quite nicely.
Overall, the team played really well and I think what won the game was the sheer amount of hard work and pressing.
Utd just couldn’t cope with us at times, especially when we quickly switched the play and made full use of the large pitch.
We played 3 or 5 at the back and I feel it worked well today, as more often than not, we just crowded the Utd attack out. So I’d say Dean Smith called it spot on today and deserves any plaudits that might come his way.
What particularly pleased me was the way we played. We took it to them from the off and gave them very little time to compose themselves with our quick play to feet. It doesn’t always come off though and that leads me to the downsides of today.
Ollie Watkins was shocking today, it has to be said. In fact, that had to be his worst performance in Aston Villa colours. His touch is very poor and in a game where it needed to be sharp, I felt it was severely lacking. He was also slow in his thinking as well, as he was caught offside by not getting back quick enough. Indeed, it happened one time and denied Danny Ings a definite penalty after he was fouled.
I absolutely love Watkins, but after today, I’m starting to understand some of the criticism that is levelled at him.
He had two very straightforward chances that he really should have buried, but didn’t. I hope his form returns.
I thought Ings was anonymous again. I don’t doubt his workrate, but surely we only got him for one reason, which is to put the ball in the net? Yet something just doesn’t feel right. Has he had more than a handful of chances in the time he’s been at the Villa? I don’t think so and I’m actually struggling to think of more than 3. I’m really not sure what that says, but it feels like a player wasted to me.
And then Ramsey. I won’t go on about it, but I felt he didn’t get involved enough either. I don’t know, perhaps I just wasn’t seeing it and it’s surprising, given that I thought we mostly dominated the midfield. I really need to watch him more closely, but apart from the slip when he had a great chance, I rarely noticed him.
No worries though, I get that he’s young and you can’t expect MOTM performances every week.
Ultimately, what matters most is of course the result. It’s something I always harp on about. But the performance is also important too.
And the fact is that we’ve performed well in our last three games.
We lost to Chelsea, but even Tuchel said we caused them lots of problems. We beat Everton 3-0 after a lacklustre first half which we turned around in the second half with a fully deserved victory.They were on a roll too, remember.
And now we’ve won today, with our forwards not really firing.
So that’s 3 overall good performances against at least two top clubs and an at least mid-table one.
Things are looking very decent if we can keep it up now.
Going on to the more controversial stuff, Man Utd got the usual penalty. But the truth is, I think it probably was one. The superb news is that Fernandes put it way over. I actually had a feeling Martinez would have saved it anyway. How good is that when you have such faith in your goalie?
And Mike Dean was useless in seemingly ignoring lots of fouls, some of which were just plain dirty.
Fortunately, I thought he let a few of our fouls go too.
Well, I said it was controversial stuff and I’m sure some of you won’t agree.
Whatever, we got the win, so I’m savouring the moment with a few beers, content that we stuffed Man Utd. On their own patch.
Hahahahaha.
Comments
26 responses to “Man Utd 0- 1 Villa; Totally deserved after brilliant effort.”
I’m chuffed and have a really nice warm feeling all over 🙂
Good God Badger when your on form in putting it together today you surpass, spot on in all department, Oli was a big disappointment today but a lot of our players made up for them missed chances. I’m over the moon with our lads they made my day and Mcginn what energy he has, Big Fat Ron you got it right we have the making of a great team and Smith has the right backroom team .. Ute.
Cheers Bill. It’s nice to know I do sometimes call bits right 🙂
I know it sounds silly saying that we won but yet I still don’t think the 2 up top works. It’s fair to say that Ings and Watkins were not convincing and It’s a legitimate question to ask whether one of them should be on the bench or if Watkins can play wide left. They both did press well though and maybe when the opposition isn’t so tough they might form a better understanding. Smith is now getting results though despite the bizarre comments about him being dismissed after 4 games. He has been unfortunate with injuries too which makes recent performances more impressive.
But today we celebrate beating Man Ure and will enjoy the post match fall out that Villa won because United weren’t on form.
Yep, I’m sure the coaches will be looking at that Holte.
My money says that the two up top will benefit us more against the lesser teams, particularly if they try to park the bus.
The better teams, I think we’d be better going one up top and trying to dominate the midfield.
The “sack Smith after 4 games” was always 100% total clickbait bollocks and I’d happily put money on that.
That said, I think it was the fact that we took it to them so much that possibly surprised them.
You’re not supposed to do that at OT, are you? 🙂
Leeds lost at home and are now 18th.
It’s all gravy!
Haha, I’m reading about how OGS thinks the goal should have been offside.
From a corner?
What a totally bitter twat he really is.
Compare his thoughts to Tuchel, who said we caused them lots of problems.
No matter, he’ll be sacked by Xmas.
Hahahahahahahahahaha, what a great weekend.
Badger
Are we over critical?
We won, oh yes we won at Old Trafford. Building on the negative Watkins was off form. The understanding between him and Ings is not yet there. But we won at Old Trafford. Yet Watkins is coming back from injury and was magic for the first 12 months. Class is permanent form is temporary.
Ings and Watkins is not working. Yet we keep winning. Wait until they both ignite. I expect them to average 1 to 1.5 goals between them per match. Although Bailey may have something to say about that.
Finally, Ramsey. One of our own 19 years old and part of a winning midfield. He needs to play games. Smith sees something and as he has improved virtually every player he has had at our club, trust him.
I am so happy about our future. UTV
Yes, I’m possibly over critical Sid. Particularly when we win this sort of game.
But I just cant do 100% “we’re great” type of stuff, regardless of if we win or lose.
What would be the point of it?
I have enough of my one eyed SIL saying we were great and making excuses, even when we’ve lost.
I do love optimism though. 🙂
Missed the game live as was in the middle of a 21 journey back from Canada – although I spent over an hour of that trying to get petrol – media driven panic buying – but enough of that.
Just watched the whole game on Sky ‘Match of the Day’ and am over the moon at the absolutely brilliant team performance. Agreed not everything came off today but every player on that pitch played his heart and soul for the shirt and with more than a little skill – what more can you ask?
When we have a fully fit team, the new players have had time to gel and with the young talent we have coming through (remembering that we’re a young team anyway) then I think we’re going to be a real handful.
Just one gripe – Dean was pretty poor today and yet again we seemed to have a referee that favoured a ‘Sky Six’ side. I’ve watched the penalty over several times and think it was very harsh. Cavani headed the ball against Hause’ body and it ricocheted down onto his hand which was tight into his body. There was no movement of hand to ball neither was Hause’ hand in an unnatural position, in fact he really knew nothing about it.
I realise that ultimately it didn’t affect the result but it seems hand ball remains a controversial issue.
Going to enjoy the rest of my weekend,
UTV
For me, if it hits you on the hand, it’s handball. Intent and unnatural positions have nowt to do with it.
The only exception is if it’s so close and so fast that you had no possible chance of avoiding it.
I don’t think either applied today, hence it was handball in my eyes.
Sorry, Hitch, but I like to think I’m incredibly neutral when it comes to these calls.
To counter that, OLG thinks it should have been an offside or impeding play for our goal. He’s a twat because it was a ball in and a header into the net, simple.
And noone else was involved, regardless of what else happened.
Even De Gea said nothing about it, which says it all.
In other news Joshua got taught a boxing lesson and was lucky to not get knocked out just before the end.
Just goes to show the over hyped mighty can and will fall at some stage.
Hitch, did you see the report last week about the footballing elite not wanting ‘too many Leicesters’ winning the league. It’s as close to rigged as it can be without being so. I was sickened by that report and those comments and whoever said it is an absolute disgrace. The odds are always stacked against clubs deemed not elite. That makes wins like today all the sweeter. I can imagine ‘Mike’ was thinking ‘how can I get them to retake this’ but he know there was nothing he could do.
Which brings me to my point about our great team and manager. I love that we seem to be developing the skill of the ‘dark arts’ which the top teams do so well. The fact is it makes a difference and I would dare to say it’s worth a fair few points a season. You can’t be soft at this level. For that reason, take a bow Emi Martinez for f****** with Fernadez’s head before the penalty. That he had the brass to do a little jig in front of the United fans after he missed, well…love it. Keep up the good work! What’s good for the goose is good for the gander!
Also great to see MacPhee celebrating set piece goals with the manager. Let’s keep this up and hopefully stuff Spurs next week! Hause MUST keep his place btw.
UTV
Oh, and how the F did Maguire get away with pulling McGinn back? Not even a foul? A joke.
Agreed, BFR, we’ve learnt some of the dark arts.
And Martinez is a master at it, in winding the opposition up. It quite makes me wonder why Angel didn’t pass on a few tips.
But then, we’ve always been too nice and tried to play the game the proper way. It’s why we’re so respected throughout the game, I think.
But to seriously compete, you have to get down and dirty, We are now.
Martinez taking the piss out of them has gone viral. I love it that we’re sticking it up them after they’ve had it all their way for so long.
The wind is blowing from a different direction now and the likes of us, Leicester and West Ham are giving the top few something to think about.,
Just a word for our Women’s team who sit second in the WSL after three games. Great start after narrowly avoiding relegation last season; their first in the WSL since being promoted.
For those interested our next game v Arsenal is on BBC2 next Sunday at 12.30.
Sadly won’t be able to watch as my daughters running the London Marathon.
See it’s being rumoured that Ollie Watkins is on Spurs wish list.
Hope Levy has got a big cheque book 🙂
I wonder if it is part of the United Manager’s job spec? The interview goes something like this.
“Are you a bad loser?”
“Do you promise to blame the referee, the opposition’s unfair tactics, or your team’s unfortunate injuries for any defeat?”
Do you affirm you will never, at any point in a post match interview, give any credit to your opponents or hint Man Utd were beaten by a better team on the day?”
You have answered yes to all the key questions: congratulations (Alex, José, Olé) the job’s yours.
“I want to be alone” – Greta Garbo
“I don’t want to be a loan” – Louie Barry + Brad Young.
I was at Sutton on Saturday to see Carlisle thumped 4-0. Carlisle only brought Brad on when they were 3 nil down, and even in that cameo he looked a lot sharper than their other strikers. Ipswich are floundering but Louie does not get a start. I hope we have a January recall clause for these youngsters, they are learning nothing other than some managers are clueless.
OLL I was reading the report on players loaned out. It wasn’t just Barry, another three of our promising young players weren’t even on the substitutes bench so what is the point of loaning them out?
On the other hand our U23’s are still exceptionally strong beating Stoke 0-8 away.
However I agree with you particularly if players of the quality of Barry are not going to get any game time.
I might be a bit late but what a win against a team I’ve waited a long time to beat again now. The performance was good, we look like we can switch between attacking and defending with the 3/5 at the back formation. I actually think it might be in the top 3 formations in football with the way we’re playing. It also opens rotation, and as Smith said it’s great how we can still win when benching our record signing. I think we were getting STUFFED without Bailey but no.
I have to say my family and I predicted when they’d get the penalty but none of us got the minute right – I said 57’ because that’s when they got it last time around – but it is just so funny how they got it. But I must say I thought it was a stone wall penalty when it was first given but it’s a little off topic this so I’m not going to dive into it for two long. But I played a football match on Sunday, and we had a penalty against us and it was like the one against Hause and I must say it seemed a bit harsh. But what do I know I’m not exactly a professional at refereeing 😂
Him that shall not be named been taken off, reason not his night. I bet he’s gutted camera’s just picked him up looking like a little naughty boy. Shame.
Dean Smith nominated player of the month, let’s hope he gets it ..
I hope he doesn’t Bill, as it’s often the kiss of death!
You mean manager of the month I think.
Which reminds me, did anybody else who visits the AVFC official site notice this? On a Thursday Villa announced Danny Ings overhead kick had won Goal of the Month on MOTD. Nothing wrong with that – it was a deserved accolade. Except this, the result was announced on the following Saturday after a viewers’ poll supposedly conducted during the broadcast.
Now this is MOTD – not a Russian election, so isn’t the result supposed to follow the count?
Oli in for world cup qualifiers, good news for him ..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58359890
BBC piece about Carla Ward, the Villa Women’s team manager for anyone interested.
Villa have stared the WSL unbeaten this season and are live on BBC2 this Saturday at 17.15 Playing Arsenal at VP.
After years of Villa’s Women’s team being nowhere since NSEW took over investment has been made, promotion to the WSL achieved, in an unbeaten season, and now we’re starting to compete with the best as all Villa teams should.