Aston Villa 2:2 Manchester United

DickDastardly · Jan 15, 2022

Our shape is what's improved the most.

Somehow we look in good defensive shape.

What gives? Elanga is sharpish in his defensive duties. Cavani helps with the properly shaped press.
Maybe that's it.

Can't quite tell

Hugh Jass · Jan 15, 2022

Gerard is going to change it tactically for villa at half time, so the second half i am predicting to be not as good.

Our fullbacks seem to have acres of space.

Rangnick will counter then by bringing on someone.

Nick7 · Jan 15, 2022

VidaRed said:
Villa's purple patch resulted because of:-
1. Shit touch by dalot that gave them a corner
2. Ref wrongly awarded them another corner immediately after
3. Ref again wrongly gave them a free kick immediately after
4. Fred cheaply giving the ball away

We need to stick a bid in for that ref then. He’s really dominating the game

Ladron de redcafe · Jan 15, 2022

Judas said:
Have you actually been watching this game? Villa have come back into it, but we've been comfortably the better team.

evil_geko said:
What did they dominate in this game so far? They had few small spells, that's it.

The Brown Bull said:
I read this and my eyes bleed.
I think they have beat us twice in the last 40 games or so.
Feck off and support them if that’s how you feel.

Well said. When someone's conclusion is that wide of the mark, you begin to wonder whether they aren't even watching the match but still commenting as if they do.

Red Shorts · Jan 15, 2022

I always that whoever is in the studio with Roy, that they always come off a little shocked if he acknowledges or praises United players.

yipthatman · Jan 15, 2022

Elanga is mint. Living proof that you shut up, train hard, impress the manager and take your chances when they present themselves. He is playing like he owns that left wing.

Nordmore · Jan 15, 2022

NotQuiteManc said:
Controlled performance. Not sure if it is more of Villa being poor or United being that much better, but I'll take it.

Bruno actually playing as that 3rd midfielder to keep possession and help calm things at the back instead of trying to play forced long balls at every opportunity possible (even though happened that one time to the right flank and failed. Old habits die hard and whatnot).

Yeah we don't play with a 4231. It's a 433 Bruno today is only a playmaker.

DickDastardly · Jan 15, 2022

Greck said:
it's sort of clear he told them to kick us around.

Its not like you have to tell Cash, Ings, Mings and Digne to kick someone.
Think that comes naturally to them.

Champ · Jan 15, 2022

Sparky Rhiwabon said:
Needs to add end product

I think he has end product in spades.

Needs runners around him to help him out.

Houdini · Jan 15, 2022

Elanga is doing well. He has done more than Rashford all the season so far. There is a slight improvement considering our recent permofmnces but are we now a team that parks the bus against Aston fecking Villa?

Judas · Jan 15, 2022

yipthatman said:
Elanga is mint. Living proof that you shut up, train hard, impress the manager and take your chances when they present themselves. He is playing like he owns that left wing.

Yep. The effort he's putting in his obvious.

ash_86 · Jan 15, 2022

The balance looks right. Elenga being unselfish kinds of perfect for this system.

Darkhorsez · Jan 15, 2022

DavidDeSchmikes said:
Best half under Rangnick?

Not sure but it’s the most relaxed I have felt for sure. Need another goal as we always let one in it seems.

Gordon S · Jan 15, 2022

Elanga is probably not half as talented as Rashford but he actually looks interested when he plays so he has a much bigger impact. Would love to see the best version of Rashford again.

Shane88 · Jan 15, 2022

Even when people think we're comfortable De Gea heroics are still required.

Who's Kissing Cameras? · Jan 15, 2022

charlenefan said:
Ralf Van Gaal

Just so boring to watch only ahead due to a keeper clanger

Greenwood though, if he was under Pep imagine how good he'd be. Hope we get a decent manager in so we don't waste his talent

White text?

minoo-utd · Jan 15, 2022

Varane is very important to us. I never want see Maguire.

Ladron de redcafe · Jan 15, 2022

DickDastardly said:
Our shape is what's improved the most.

Somehow we look in good defensive shape.

What gives? Elanga is sharpish in his defensive duties. Cavani helps with the properly shaped press.
Maybe that's it.

Can't quite tell

Both Elanga and Cavani are pressing extremely well, as well. The gaps are being closed down really quickly, and Villa aren't being allowed to dictate so far.

Shark · Jan 15, 2022

charlenefan said:
Ralf Van Gaal

Just so boring to watch only ahead due to a keeper clanger

Greenwood though, if he was under Pep imagine how good he'd be. Hope we get a decent manager in so we don't waste his talent

Considering our last few performances that half was surely a big positive. We could be two or three to the good also.

Walters_19_MuFc · Jan 15, 2022

BusbyMalone said:
Decent half there. Greenwood and Elangs have looked sharp. We are letting them back into it though.

Teams will always have spells in the game. What impressed me is that we kept the ball pretty well at the end of the half and killed their momentum. Second half, we need to come out the traps and hopefully get that second goal because Villa do look like they have a goal in them.

Red Shorts · Jan 15, 2022

Much much better performance, not perfect but i would say the best 45 under Ragnick.

More effective pressing, less wasteful and more composure all round. Keep it up for another 45

flameinthesun · Jan 15, 2022

Elanga is not as talented as Rashford but my god does it feel good to have a winger who runs and presses with positive body language. I reckon elanga can be our Dan James upgrade/replacement.

Solius · Jan 15, 2022

We’ve played so much better than other games. It always helps to start games well because it’s going to be much harder to get that momentum if you don’t.

Villa didn’t have a touch in our box for the first 30 minutes.

Swedish_Plumber · Jan 15, 2022

Freak said:
Why won’t he? He’s class. There is no way he won’t make it here.

Just being pessimistic with regards to how we handle ourselves as a club. If we see multiple managers and changing styles we might see a similar drop off like we’ve seen with Januzaj, Martial and Rashford.

A lot would come down to his own attitude and desire to stay here if we were to continue being a circus.

Rustyspider13 · Jan 15, 2022

That was a good half. Villa had some moments near the end but we finished strongly. It's clear that Ralf has made a gameplan and the players are sticking to it. Bruno's positioning is often alongside Matic and behind Fred which has allowed us to field a 5 man midfield and stifle Villa attacks. The one twos on the left have opened up good opportunities in attack with Elanga and Telles linking well. Varane has been phenomenal and DDG made two good saves. If Matic were a bit faster and Fred had a first touch, I would be much more comfortable. For now, I just hope we get one of those counters right and put this game to bed ASAP.

royalewithcheese2006 · Jan 15, 2022

Ranchero said:
Lingard or Fred? No competition. Always Lingard. Play Matic deep and let Lingard do the box to box role Fred is failing at in this setup. Lingard will press. Links the attack. Loads of energy. And adds goals ala West Ham. Has shown far more when on than VdB has ever done. Yet attracts so many haters.

Lingard box to box? Surely you're not serious? You'd have an argument if you said VdB instead of Lingard.

Eckers99 · Jan 15, 2022

DavidDeSchmikes said:
Best half under Rangnick?

Easily.

TsuWave · Jan 15, 2022

Ladron de redcafe said:
Well said. When someone's conclusion is that wide of the mark, you begin to wonder whether they aren't even watching the match but still commenting as if they do.

I didn't have a conclusion, you weirdo. I posted that I feel like Villa always dominates against us during the period in which they were on the front foot and said it was a personal feeling.

we have recently lost to them, won against them the other day and I still felt they were on the front foot, today we had a good start, but things changed and they were on the front foot

saivet · Jan 15, 2022

We already know it but today shows how important a DM is to play 433. Matic can do it from time to time but we can't rely on him. Good half from him

goptun · Jan 15, 2022

Freak said:
Why won’t he? He’s class. There is no way he won’t make it here.

He's already 'making it', anyway. He's consistently one of our best, most threatening players. He's top class.

Ixion · Jan 15, 2022

Telles had a decent half, good opening 30 minutes at least. Elanga, Telles, Fernandes, Varane all decent.

AngliaRed · Jan 15, 2022

Rashford needs to look past his ego or his England hangover and watch how Elanga plays the left wing. It’s nothing he isnt capable of doing. Runs in behind, pressing and also helping defensively.

Good 1st half. Looks assured with Matic in there. I think the CBs and DDG prefer Matics screen in front of the back 4 compared to Mcfred. We seriously can’t rely on Matic next season though, he dont have the legs for PL and CL week in week out.

Random Task · Jan 15, 2022

yipthatman said:
Elanga is mint. Living proof that you shut up, train hard, impress the manager and take your chances when they present themselves. He is playing like he owns that left wing.

Too right.

Judas · Jan 15, 2022

charlenefan said:
Ralf Van Gaal

Just so boring to watch only ahead due to a keeper clanger

Greenwood though, if he was under Pep imagine how good he'd be. Hope we get a decent manager in so we don't waste his talent

Have you always been this negative or do you just really dislike old Ralfy chops?

Hester_manc · Jan 15, 2022

Decent half. Bruno has been better, maybe the goal gave him something.

Shark · Jan 15, 2022

flameinthesun said:
Elanga is not as talented as Rashford but my god does it feel good to have a winger who runs and presses with positive body language. I reckon elanga can be our Dan James upgrade/replacement.

Surely too early to say that.

yipthatman · Jan 15, 2022

Can we just take a moment of appreciation for Sir Dave of Old Trafford and his magic between the sticks. Absolute world class keeper.

Witchking · Jan 15, 2022

Shane88 said:
Even when people think we're comfortable De Gea heroics are still required.

Because we are a work in progress. Last week, we were unable to pass 5 yards to a team mate. Today we have been decent. So yes, Villa finished strong but United have been good value. Need a second goal before the 60th minute or the pressure will keep mounting.

saivet · Jan 15, 2022

Hope to see more from Cavani 2nd half

Ixion · Jan 15, 2022

charlenefan said:
Ralf Van Gaal

4 shots on target is like 4 Van Gaal games worth.

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