Match Report: Aston Villa 0 - 1 Manchester United

Aston Villa 0 - 1 Manchester United

Saturday 03/12/2011

Premier League

Phil Jones grabs his first United goal, as the reds record their fourth 1-0 victory in five league games.

In the corresponding fixture last season, United escaped with a point after being 2-0 down, this year they were looking to take home all three points to keep pressure on league leaders Manchester City.

Phil Jones was chosen to partner Michael Carrick in the centre of midfield, as Sir Alex tried to discover his strongest pairing for the position. Anders Lindegaard was also given the nod ahead of David De Gea in goal.

The game started badly for the Champions with Chicharito being forced off with injury after just eight minutes. The Mexican went to ground in the penalty area despite no contact with a Villa player and has suspectedly suffered ankle ligament damage, which will reportedly keep him out of action for up to four weeks. Antonio Valencia was brought on to replace him.

United soon got over the shock of losing a key player, and were commanding the game, rarely relinquishing possession to their opponents. In the 20th minute this dominance paid off when an excellent United build up saw Phil Jones side-foot home from close range following a sublime cross from Luis Nani. The 19 year old claiming his first senior goal whilst putting the visitors ahead.

The home side struggled to impose themselves on the game, and United came close to doubling their lead when first Nani saw his header saved by Shay Given and then Valencia saw his 25 yard effort fly just over the crossbar. The game was hit by another injury in the 35th minute, when Villa 'keeper Given had to be withdrawn for a pulled hamstring.

The half petered out without further incident, with United in full control. Alex McLeish will have been disappointed with his sides performance and looked to fire them up for the second period.

However this was not the case, the home side delivered almost no attacking threat as United continued to boss the game. The reds continued to press but struggled to break Aston Villa down. The closest either side came was in the 75th minute when James Collins saw his header tipped over by Anders Lindegaard, in what was proving to be a dull half of football. And United thought they'd secured a second goal in the final minute when substitute Danny Welbeck finished well from close range, only for the effort to be ruled offside.

Manchester United held on, securing their fifth away win of the season (as many as the secured in the entire campaign last year). An efficient performance in a game where they were never required to get out of 2nd gear. United will now look forward to their midweek encounter with FC Basel to secure Champions League progression.