Manchester United vs Aston Villa 2014
Lambert on the United
“I think they (United) have been badly hit by what happened the other night and you are probably expecting them to come out firing on all cylinders.
“But our job is to try to win, to try to hurt them by doing what we do best. Our intent is to go up there and try to win.
“Everybody knows our away form and the way we play – we can create and try to score.”
Moyes on Villa clash
“We didn’t play well in midweek and it was disappointing but going into the game, we’d played well against Olympiacos and against West Ham. So going into the game against Aston Villa I’d like to get more of the West Ham performance rather than the midweek one.
“The players know exactly what it is to play for Manchester United – they know the standards they have to set. But they’re hurting as well as me and are desperate to put it right. And hopefully when we get to the game against Villa, they can show that.”
Form is Temporary
Memory match:
12th December 2009 Manchester United 0 Aston Villa 1
A goal from Agbonlahor secured all three points in this famous victory during the Martin O’Neill era.
Manchester United: Last five matches at home: W 2, D 1, L 2
Aston Villa: Last five league matches away: W1, D 2, L 2
In the last five visits to Old Trafford, Villa have won once and lost all four other attempts.
One to Watch
Wayne Rooney – Despite United’s poor form, the England striker has been proving he’s worth his new lucrative contract with several encouraging displays. He’s scored 10 league goals against us in his career.
Facts to Sweep Under the Carpet
There is something about Man United. We always struggle against them, and they’ve taken more points from us than any opponent in the league’s history, a shocking stat. While Moyes’s men have been having problems at Old Trafford, they’ll be keen to make amends for the derby defeat with a good performance against our unpredictable Villa side. Despite us being known for our counter-attacking football and our away form, we’ve only actually won one of our last seven away matches. So the away form is now a bit of a myth.
What We Pray the Football Gods Will Provide
Recent history has shown that we play a lot better against the bigger teams than we used to, and with Man United in their current predicament we might be in luck. While they’ll have one eye on Bayern next week, United will be keen to appease the home crowd and their fly-over planes, so will be expected to throw themselves forward, leaving them ripe for the counter.The Football Gods have allowed United to enjoy this fixture for far too long, so as long as Villa don’t allow the memories of the old Manchester United to intimidate them, there’s a big chance here to get something.
Why Villa have got this game in the bag
The 3-0 home loss to United was disappointing, especially as it was probably the best time to play them in years. However, away from home the pressure will be on them rather than us, especially after their back-to-back 3-0 home defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City. United under Moyes has led to some pretty shocking stats, and this season they’ve lost more home games than they have in the previous three seasons put together. With Robin van Persie set to miss the match as well, it could be a day that banishes all memories of the Stoke defeat. If the Baggies could do it earlier on in the season, why can’t we?
UTV
Follow MOMS on Twitter – @oldmansaid
Follow Lewis on Twitter – @rymondfootball
