Analysis: Aston Villa - Manchester United

Aston Villa – Manchester United is undoubtedly the most interesting match of the 14th stage of the English Premier League. Will the “Red devils” be finally able to play the way their fans expect them to?

Classification and team’s condition:
Aston Villa takes the 8th place with 16 points (3-7-3). Manchester United is the vice-leader of the Premier League. The “Red devils” earned 30 points in 13 matches (9-3-1).

Potential and team situation:
“No McLeisch at Villa Park” – in such a way Aston Villa welcomed the new coach Alex McLeisch. There is nothing strange since the Scotsman had been training the everlasting rival – Birmingham City 4 years ago, which virtually drove them to the Second league. “Alex M. acted as a deserter in his army, who went over to his enemies” – such an opinion had been left by Birmingham fans at one of the sites. Club owners from Villa Park went against the fans’ will.. and lost them due to it. The team which played at the level of Premier League leaders almost the whole previous season can’t find the desirable game rhythm since the very beginning of the championship this season.
A jejune atmosphere predominates in Manchester, especially in its “red” district since the main United’s opponents – the “Citizens” now have their 5 minutes. Ferguson and his boys have played in many different ways since the very beginning of the season. This is not the same Manchester United which could have won several dozens of matches in a row in the Premier League. No happiness is seen in the play of footballers from Old Trafford. Chicharito, Rooney, Nani, the main forwards of Ferguson’s team move on the field as if after a long vacation. There is nothing surprising that Manchester loses points even at its own stadium (1-1 with New Castle), but also struggles in away matches.

History of meetings:
Footballers from Villa Park can’t boast of a huge success in matches against United. The balance of 10 previous matches between these teams is on Manchester’s side, which won 6 matches and lost only 1. Three times their meetings ended up in a draw. In the previous season there was a 2-2 draw at Villa Park and in the “Theater of Dreams” Manchester won with the score of 3-1.

Tips and justifications:
Every misfortune of United leads to some tension in the team and an additional pressure on the players. Although Ferguson’s post isn’t in any danger, fans of the “Red devils” except the position in the standings are also interested in game style, which hasn’t been the best lately. A draw in the match of Carling Cup against Crystal Palace (Championship) convinced us that if Manchester isn’t experiencing a crisis then it is having serious problems, which have to be dealt with as soon as possible. This is an ideal moment for a change since Aston Villa is an opponent which has a hang-up before Ferguson’s players.