Comeback Kings - Aston Villa vs Manchester United review by Aditya Nayak (@AdityaNayak12)

It’s been a routine for Manchester united to show lackluster performance in the first half, go a goal down, get a hairdryer treatment at half time, Come out and win the match and Saturday’s game against Aston Villa was no different. In a game of two halves, United saw themselves go two down against the Villians and comeback to win it 3-2 thanks to the heroics of Super sub Hernandez. This is the 5^th time that Fergie’s Red army have managed to win from losing Positions in the league this year, an achievement worthy of being called as the Comeback kings.

United Started with only two changes to the side that beat Arsenal last week with Scholes Partnering Carrick in the middle of the park and Smalling coming in for injured Johnny Evans. This game at Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground for Sir Alex and the fact that United were last beaten here 17 years ago justifies that. Things thus were expected to be easy for United, a simple smash and grab job but as it has been in this season so far United did make a mess of themselves before finally achieving what they want. The first half saw United enjoying lot of possession but making no threats at the Opposition. Valencia was toothless against the debutant Left back Stevens and young being booed upon by ex-club was losing the grip on things. With the wingers not able to push forward United's attack was not having any feeding of the ball. Rooney’s long range shot on the 44^th minute was United’s first and only shot on target for the entire first half, not fitting to the team topping the league and having scored the most goals thus far. Villa on the other hand were good on the break and One such counter attacking play on the 46^th minute was sent home with a powerful strike by Austrian Andy Weimann. Villa had taken the lead much to the dismay of United and Sir Alex.

The Second half began with one change for United, a less than impressive young was replaced by Chicha the super sub of the game. There was immediate effect but on the opposite end for United as Weimann popped in from a cross to make it two nil for Villa. This was the wakeup call that United were I guess were looking for and they responded in the 58^th minute when Chicha counted on his Poacher’s instinct and scored a brilliantly finished goal. Five minutes later Rafael Crossed in to find the head of that man Chicha again whose header was deflected into the net by Villa’s Vlaar making it 2-2. The game was now in the balance, United had the momentum which meant there was only one possible outcome from this fixture now – a win for red devils. Rightly so on the 87^th minute Van persie’s Free kick was bundled into the goal post by ‘the Solsjear in the making’ Chicharito Hernandez. He played the role of the Super sub to perfection and gave United what they had come for – three points. The only Worry for United on the night was Rooney being taken off due to slight injury.

Manchester United have now won 5 games in a row and find themselves having a two point gap at the top of the table.

Full Time:

Aston Villa 2 (Weimann 46’, 50’)

Manchester United 3 (Chicha 58’, 87’, Vlaar 63’)

Line ups:

Aston Villa: Guzan, Clark, Stevens, Vlaar, Lowton, Westwood, Bannan (Delph), Ireland (El Ahmadi), Benteke, Weimann (Holman), Agbanlahor

Subs not used: Given, Williams, Albrighton, Bowery.

Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes (Cleverley), Young (Chicha), Rooney (Anderson), Robin Van Persie

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Buttner, Fletcher, Welbeck

Top Performers:

Aston Villa: Weimann (8/10), Benteke (7/10)

Manchester United: Chicha (9/10), De Gea (6.5/10)

Next Game: Norwich City (A) – Carrow Road, 11/17/2012 (Premier League)