Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United- BPL Game 17
A winning streak which doors close after six games of hopeful delight was anchored by a disappointing performance from our boys in white.
Manchester United's performances as yet of perfection have been edging out results however it was on today of all match days where the luck did not swing their way.
A disappointing draw which has been perceived to me as a loss. United's dominance of the ball in the first half had surfaced with 75% going their way.
However on 18 minutes Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke found an opening to curl the ball over a sea of players in the penalty area and put Villa one goal to the good.
The Red Devils hadn't really conjured clear cut chances in the first 45 minutes with Robin Van Persie's shot dragged just wide of the post and Ashley Young's cross nearly sneaking in only for Brad Guzan to save easily.
As we urged possession to transform into goals the first half still seemed a glowing light with United fans including myself comfortable lying in wait of a comeback.
Three minutes prior to the equaliser it was David De Gea who swiftly called himself back into action to stop Bentekes bullet header.
Once the timer eventually ended and the three minutes was up it was striker Radamel Falcao in wait to head Ashley Young's cross into the net for his second goal in eight appearances.
Buzzing with excitement and glee the United fans cheered in a glorious belief that a winner was to follow in a typical United fashion.
The goal in which we had waited upon did not arise but drama unfolded in the 25 minutes that remained.
A contentious red card for pacey Englishman Gabby Agbonlahor helped overturn a Aston Villa side into a defensive machine trying to grasp the point in which they held.
As United pushed for a winner it appeared stereotypically that one would arise however a lack of intensity upon the defensive Villa keep three points behind bars and away from United.
Louis Van Gaal said:
"When you're the better team you have to win."
"It's always important not to lose but I'm frustrated because we gave two points away."
Wayne Rooney said "We're disappointed. I thought we were the better team... They scored against the run of play."
Lineups:
MUFC XI- De Gea, Jones, Carrick, Evans, Valencia [Wilson 74], Fletcher [Blackett 45], Mata, Rooney, Young,Van Persie [Di Maria 61] Falcao
Aston Villa XI- Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Clark, Cissokho [Bacuna 80], Sanchez, Delph, Weimann [N'Zogbia 80], Agbonlahor, Benteke.
Man of the match was hard because most were average however Michael Carrick passing and awareness was probably one of the most influential things today.
Man of the match- Michael Carrick
Next Game- Newcastle (H) Friday 26 Dec 15:00 GMT