They obviously can’t be bothered, so neither can I. It was a positive line-up, but Utd never needed to get out of 1st gear. McLeish must be giving out his instructions in Russian or something because he’s managed to make some very capable players look like they haven’t the first clue what they’re doing.

Worryingly, Shay Given was carried off after his hamstring went shortly before half time. Brad Guzan didn’t have much to do, not really, but we’ll probably get to see him in goal for a few games now.

Chris Herd also limped off, although he may have just been feeling sorry for himself after a less than awesome display. Jermaine Jenas was also replaced due to injury, it looked like something in his ankle went and he’ll surely be out again now.

Charles N’Zogbia was excluded from the squad to sit on the naughty step for missing some appointment or other during the week. Details are sketchy.

Phil Jones got the only goal. It was tame. Nani romped into space behind Alan Hutton and sat a nice ball up for Jones to volley in from close range unchallenged. Simple enough.

There was the usual running about a bit at the end, but it was aimless and delivered no more than it deserved. This is beyond tedious now. Barcelona are currently 2-0 up against Levante, I’m going to watch that. At least there’s some joy there.

Timeline: Key Events

79′ SUBSTITUTION Ashley Young off / Danny Welbeck on.
64′ SUBSTITUTION Rio Ferdinand off / Ryan Giggs on.
64′ SUBSTITUTION Jermaine Jenas off / Emile Heskey on. Injury.
59′ SUBSTITUTION Chris Herd off / Stiliyan Petrov on. Herd limped straight off down the tunnel.
38′ SUBSTITUTION Shay Given off / Brad Guzan on. Hamstring.
20′ GOAL Phil Jones. Nani in behind Hutton, a simple cross into the box, Phil Jones volley’s calmly in unmarked.
12′ SUBSTITUTION Javier Hernández off / Antonio Valencia on. Ankle injury.

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Herd, Jenas, Albrighton, Bannan, Agbonlahor, Bent. Subs: Guzan, Cuellar, Clark, Delph, Petrov, Ireland, Heskey.

Man Utd: Lindegaard, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Jones, Rooney, Young, Hernandez. Subs: De Gea, Evans, Fletcher, Park, Giggs, Valencia, Welbeck.

You might also like...

13 Comments to “Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 1: Exciting line-up provides another false dawn”

  1. Fed Up 3 December 2011 at 8:12 pm #

    Another appalling display from a manager who only has one tactic: long ball. The players don’t look like want to play for him and I can’t blame them.

    McLeish out: http://www.zazzle.co.uk/footballclothing*

  2. Badger 3 December 2011 at 8:33 pm #

    It’s blatantly obvious that you know where the problem is Dan.

    You’ve been incredibly well balanced up to now, but you have to join the majority in calling for the manager’s head, imo, else you’ll be seen as a mug.

    I don’t recall such a poor performance from Villa against Man U (which always used to be a highlight, where you knew you would get a good game, regardless of the result) in my 40 years of watching them.

    We’re just so poor to watch, it’s crazy :-)

  3. Badger 3 December 2011 at 8:35 pm #

    Seems I messed up the smiley again :-(

  4. Ken 3 December 2011 at 8:58 pm #

    Sir Aex Chewalot “Villa played well Mcleish is doing a great job”
    Randy Loser “Thanks Alex I knew them tw*t fans didnt know what they are talking about”
    Sir Alex Chewalot “Aye stick with him you be o.k in the bottom three”
    Randy Loser “I will Alex can I kiss you brown ring please please I love you”

  5. Nanwasafan 4 December 2011 at 12:18 pm #

    Junk

  6. xandeh 4 December 2011 at 2:21 pm #

    Shocking ECK OUT

    http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/avfcmanager/

  7. RSamVillaFan 5 December 2011 at 10:19 pm #

    Dan,
    as much as i want to believe you cant be bothered, you know and i know you are.
    This site is the last bastion of fair and educated debate on all things Villa, and long may it continue. You see you, me Nan, we all go back….back to a time where the “yes we can” slogan was born, a better time. I believe that time will come again, unfortunately we may have to take a few steps backwards to get there. But if that is what it takes then so be it, bring it on, we are the loyal Villa fans, in our hearts and our soul.
    I may hate McLeish and the owners for their disregard of us fans, but i can’t bring myself to hate Villa and all it stands for.
    I believe it’s time to take back our club, to quote the slogan, “i did not choose, i was chosen!”

    • Dan 6 December 2011 at 12:25 pm #

      damn you!

      yes, you’re right, of course you are.

      doing this hasn’t been a lot of fun for more than a year now. it wears you down, but i’m not completely done just yet.

      thanks, mate.

      • Stewart Rouleau 7 December 2011 at 3:29 pm #

        RSam speaks wisely. Don’t be done for a while. There is nothing else in the Villasphere worth reading.

        • Dan 8 December 2011 at 2:37 pm #

          cheers, stewart. don’t worry, we’ll still be here for a while yet.

  8. MJS 6 December 2011 at 3:57 am #

    Trying to stay positive. It is getting harder every week. Each performance seems worse than the next. Completely uninspired. At what point do you as a player put aside your feelings for the manager and play for pride? Too easy for a player to force an exit from the club and give up on the claret and blue. Should we be worried for more key “forced” departures come January? Should we be surprised if and when they happen. The last 15 months have been ridiculous. Get the right man in charge. Someone who can manage to the strenthgs of his team. IT is time to turn this around. I think we’ve all had enough already.

  9. Nanwasafan 8 December 2011 at 7:58 am #

    RSam

    That was like flicking through an old photo album!

    Can we all be young and carefree once more?

    Like you, and the greatly admired host of this site, I sincerely hope so.

    Here’s to tomorrow.

    • Dan 8 December 2011 at 2:41 pm #

      thanks, nan. heady days.


Leave a Reply