Brad Friedel became Aston Villa’s oldest ever player tonight, but you would never have known it as he pulled out a number of superb saves to prevent a much harsher scoreline than the 3-1 this one finished.

Wayne Rooney signalled a timely return to form with two very well taken goals in open play in the first and last minutes of the first half. Darren Bent got one back for Villa only for any hopes of a comeback to be squashed by an unstoppable shot from Nemanja Vidic.

A nightmare start, Rooney latching on to van der Sar’s long clearance and firing past Brad Friedel with the game not even 50 seconds old, it looked ominous. Villa didn’t collapse, they played some nice build up stuff at times, but they also couldn’t find any quality in the final third of the pitch.

Utd’s pressed extremely well and whenever they won the ball back they attacked with intent, Clark and Walker having some rough moments trying to keep Nani and the evergreen Ryan Giggs at bay. Dunne made a few important tackles, but had an “off game”, Collins didn’t exactly make up for it.

With just one minute of injury time before half time, Villa were still in the game, but one slip up by Ciaran Clark attempting to chase Nani down allowed the Portuguese the space to send in the perfect delivery to the far post that Wayne Rooney just had to side foot in on the volley, James Collins nowhere near him.

In fairness, such a wonderful cross deserved a goal. That’s exactly how to take advantage of an opportunity; Downing, Albrighton and Young could do well to watch the replays.

2nd half

No changes at the break, Nani dangerously through within seconds only to be snuffed out by Richard Dunne. It would have been an extremely cruel blow to concede a third goal inside the first minute of the second half.

Villa fought on, looked bright, Ashley Young imposing himself and eventually found a goal thanks to Stewart Downing’s break down the left following an offside call against Wayne Rooney. His low cross to Darren Bent taking advantage of the space vacated by the out of position Vidic almost perfectly, although the new man had to check his run ever so slightly to make sure he didn’t miss from six yards.

Bent kept his calm, made no mistake and that’s what we paid the money for.

Unfortunately, Vidic restored the two goal advantage just five minutes later after blasting in a loose ball from a second phase delivery at a corner. There isn’t a keeper on the planet who could have prevented the goal, questions really have to be asked about the freedom Vidic had to win the header in the first place.

Emile Heskey replaced Marc Albrighton for the final 20 minutes, Gabby came on for Stiliyan Petrov five minutes later and it’s fair to say that the captain didn’t seem to appreciate the decision. Nigel Reo-Coker came on in place of Stewart Downing for the final 10 minutes, the winger apparently picking up a shin problem.

In summary

Overall, not the absolute brightest of performances, not a patch on the breathless reverse of this fixture, certainly where the final third of the pitch is concerned. But not altogether bad in a game that grabbing a point would have been a super result regardless of our recent resurgence in form.

Plus points; Jean Makoun looked absolutely superb in the middle of the park. His vision, speed of thought, movement and range of passing were all a cut above anything his central partner displayed. He’s going to be an important player for us, no question, but he’ll need better quality around him.

Darren Bent didn’t see much of the ball again, but the one clear chance that was carved out; he was there and did the business. Two goals in three games is a fine ratio so far.

Final word goes to Brad Friedel for making several key saves a man of his age shouldn’t be capable of making. This will almost certainly be his last season, but there’s nothing to be concerned about between now and May, he’ll continue to save and win us points.

Nothing to be ashamed about tonight’s result, Utd rightly sit unbeaten at the top of the table, it was always going to be an uphill struggle, but just a few weeks ago this side would have collapsed. Tonight they didn’t.

Next up; Fulham at Villa Park. That won’t be a push over, Fulham are much improved of late, but I’m looking forward to seeing Jean Makoun give Steve Sidwell a football lesson for sure.

Aston Villa starting XI: Friedel, Walker, Dunne, Collins, Clark, Albrighton, Makoun, Petrov, Downing, Young, Bent. Subs: Marshall, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Pires, Delfouneso, Reo-Coker, Cuellar.

Opponent starting XI: Van der Saar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov. Subs: Lindergaard, Smalling, Fabio, Anderson, Scholes, Owen, Hernandez.