FA Premier League

Aston Villa 1:1 Manchester United

Villa Park

Kick-off
Sat, 20 December 2014 @ 3:00pm GMT
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Discussion Live Updates 59 Your Lineup Prediction

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    De Gea
    Valencia Jones Evans Young
    Carrick
    Herrera Di Maria
    Rooney
    Falcao van Persie
    ​
    Hard to leave Mata out of this team but I want to see Falcao get a start and Herrera to start in the midfield.
     
    Could have sworn I read on Friday that there was only 4 players still injured, anyone know the 4?
     
    For how long is Rojo supposedly out? Don't want to see Evans in the starting line-up anytime soon.
     
    El-Manos said:
    For how long is Rojo supposedly out? Don't want to see Evans in the starting line-up anytime soon.
    Click to expand...
    Seems like leaving him out today was more precautionary than anything from LVG's comments on the website.

    The manager told MUTV: “He [Rojo] felt something yesterday, and I didn't want to take a risk. If a player is complaining about a knock, I ask whether or not they want to play, and that's the end of it. So, I played Phil Jones today.”
    Click to expand...
    Source: http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Dec/louis-van-gaal-not-wanting-to-risk-marcos-rojo-against-liverpool.aspx

    Guess we'll find out more at the next press conference unless the Twitter account is feeling generous with the news again this week.
     
    I'm hoping to see this:

    God
    Raf - Jonesy - Rojo - Shaw
    ----Carrick----
    Herrera / Afro - ADM
    ---Wazza / Don Juan---
    Falcao - Robin


    I'm expecting to see this:

    God
    A-val - Jonesy - Evans - Young
    ---carrick---
    Afro - herrera
    ---Don Juan---
    Wazza - Robin



    I wouldn't really be disappointed with the latter, but I feel it is important for Falcao to start a game and build up his confidence and teamwork with Rooney and Rvp. We should definitely start all three. And people pointing out we did this in the Leicester game, give me a break. Now we have confidence. That game is water under the bridge. We should try out our potential offensive juggernaut. Balance it out with a solid and physical MF.
     
    -------------DDG------------
    Valencia-Jones-Rojo-Young
    -----------Carrick-----------
    ------Herrera--Fellaini------
    -----------Rooney-----------
    ------RvP--------Falcao-----

    Mata replacing any one of Fellaini or Falcao would be fine too.
     
    prateik said:
    Start Falcao. Thats all.
    Don't care about the other 10. Pick the reserves if you want. Just start Falcao
    Click to expand...

    This.

    El Zoido said:
    Hopefully we have a stipulation in Cleverleys loan contract that he MUST start this game.
    Click to expand...

    Damn. Forgot he existed.
    Even Herrera can't make it to our 3-man midfield right now, and that's with Di Maria and Blind injured.

    I think its safe to say Tom's not coming back, unless he wants to be a ball-boy.
     
    If Di Maria is fit I wonder if he may replace Wilson and play more of an advanced role, similar to the position Robben occupied at the World Cup.

    If he is still injured, I wouldn't be surprised to see Falcao get the nod. Think Wilson is more likely to start in home games at the moment.
     
    Please let it be Herrera time. Two poor games in a row from Fellaini now, and Herrera looked so bright and sharp in his 20 minutes.

    Happy for Carrick to continue in this base-of-the-diamond/third CB role.

    Having trained all this week, Rafa will surely be fit in time for this. Then again, I don't see Van Gaal dropping Valencia after his best game of the season. That in mind, something like this please:

    DDG
    Jones Carrick Rojo
    Valencia-------------------Young--
    Herrera Rooney
    Mata
    Falcao RVP​

    Oh, and if Di Maria is back:

    DDG
    Jones Carrick Rojo
    Valencia-------------------Young--
    Herrera Di Maria
    Mata
    Rooney RVP​
     
    If Cleverley is ruled out, how come Zaha played against us?
     
    I think we will go with the 3-5-2 again unfortunately. We've got the results with it recently but some of the performances haven't been great.

    De Gea
    Jones--Carrick--Evans
    Valencia--Fellaini--Mata--Young
    Rooney
    Falcao--van Persie

    My preferred formation..

    De Gea
    Rafael--Jones--Evans--Young
    Carrick--Fellaini
    Rooney
    Mata--van Persie--Januzaj
    ​
     
    ISSYNAZAR said:
    He didn't.
    Click to expand...

    Just checked, you're right. Remembered seeing a pic in the paper of him taking on Rafael or someone, must have been in his first spell. Was sure it was this seasons kit, but obviously not.
     
    LawCharltonBest said:
    Aston Villa will win this one.

    They have been so bad. For one day only in the season this is their sell-out, this is the one that their fans will be up for. By law of averages they have to have one good performance. It will be against us.
    Click to expand...
    They've only sold 26,000 apparently. I'm considering getting a ticket in the home end.
     
    Brightonian said:
    Please let it be Herrera time. Two poor games in a row from Fellaini now, and Herrera looked so bright and sharp in his 20 minutes.

    Happy for Carrick to continue in this base-of-the-diamond/third CB role.

    Having trained all this week, Rafa will surely be fit in time for this. Then again, I don't see Van Gaal dropping Valencia after his best game of the season. That in mind, something like this please:

    DDG
    Jones Carrick Rojo
    Valencia-------------------Young--
    Herrera Rooney
    Mata
    Falcao RVP​

    Oh, and if Di Maria is back:

    DDG
    Jones Carrick Rojo
    Valencia-------------------Young--
    Herrera Di Maria
    Mata
    Rooney RVP​
    Click to expand...

    way too offensive both formations. Fellaini will play for Herrera in both formations and that would still be a very offensive formation for an away game. Fellaini brings balance, even if he isnt a world beater.
     
    How the feck we can change the score prediction I want 2-0 for United instead I gave it to villa.
     
    izec said:
    way too offensive both formations. Fellaini will play for Herrera in both formations and that would still be a very offensive formation for an away game. Fellaini brings balance, even if he isnt a world beater.
    Click to expand...

    Where does this idea come from? Herrera is at least as effective defensively as Fellaini in every area except aerial set-pieces. Fellaini won the ball back four times yesterday, yes, but he also gave it away needlessly seven times, and also conceded far too many unnecessary free-kicks in dangerous areas. He's a defensive liability as much as he is an asset.

    Plus we'll keep the ball much better with Herrera, which is the first issue you should look at when trying to become better defensively.

    And with Jones back playing, and RVP back in form (and Falcao likely to start too), we don't really need his height either offensively or defensively.
     
    Brightonian said:
    Where does this idea come from? Herrera is at least as effective defensively as Fellaini in every area except aerial set-pieces. Fellaini won the ball back four times yesterday, yes, but he also gave it away needlessly seven times, and also conceded far too many unnecessary free-kicks in dangerous areas. He's a defensive liability as much as he is an asset.

    Plus we'll keep the ball much better with Herrera, which is the first issue you should look at when trying to become better defensively.

    And with Jones back playing, and RVP back in form (and Falcao likely to start too), we don't really need his height either offensively or defensively.
    Click to expand...

    Fellaini isnt a CDM, but he played today there. Herrera will never play there. He has no presence. I dont say he isnt good defensively, but he isnt disciplined enough. Look at the formations, it is just way too offensive. For an away game Herrera, Di Maria and Mata in midfield without someone behind them is suicidal. We never played like that and never will, absolutely no balance in there. Fellaini did a job defensively today that no other player could do at the moment for us. He is a starter at the moment.
     
    We should win, but I feel the game we do drop points in will be the one we least suspected...
     
    de Gea

    Valencia
    Jones
    Evans
    Young

    Carrick
    Herrera
    Fellaini

    Rooney

    van Persie
    Falcao

    Do it LVG. Maybe a bit harsh on Mata but I'd love to see this.
     
    izec said:
    Fellaini isnt a CDM, but he played today there. Herrera will never play there. He has no presence. I dont say he isnt good defensively, but he isnt disciplined enough. Look at the formations, it is just way too offensive. For an away game Herrera, Di Maria and Mata in midfield without someone behind them is suicidal. We never played like that and never will, absolutely no balance in there. Fellaini did a job defensively today that no other player could do at the moment for us. He is a starter at the moment.
    Click to expand...

    But Fellaini's 'presence' is next to useless when he's defending, because he just doesn't know how to do the job properly. He always manages to get himself behind the player with the ball rather than between them and the goal, so that before he's even had a chance to make the tackle he's chasing the player. Then his lack of pace means he can't catch them enough to make a tackle, so he ends up pulling or hacking them down and concedes a free-kick.

    Herrera may be smaller, but I'd take his actual ability to properly defend over Fellaini's tall incompetence.

    And, just to stress my earlier point, it is very much in Herrera's favour here that he can pass the ball forwards without giving it away. Fellaini always seems to have a 50/50 chance of passing to the opposition.
     
    Brightonian said:
    But Fellaini's 'presence' is next to useless when he's defending, because he just doesn't know how to do the job properly. He always manages to get himself behind the player with the ball rather than between them and the goal, so that before he's even had a chance to make the tackle he's chasing the player. Then his lack of pace means he can't catch them enough to make a tackle, so he ends up pulling or hacking them down and concedes a free-kick.

    Herrera may be smaller, but I'd take his actual ability to properly defend over Fellaini's tall incompetence.

    And, just to stress my earlier point, it is very much in Herrera's favour here that he can pass the ball forwards without giving it away. Fellaini always seems to have a 50/50 chance of passing to the opposition.
    Click to expand...

    Yes it happens often with Fellaini, but it isnt his ideal role. Herrera would look out of depth too in front of the back 3. I thought Fellainis defending in the 2nd half was good, he had a lot of interceptions. He isnt a CDM, but Herrera isnt too and someone has more or less to play there. Herrera's passing is better, but he doesnt play for a reason. He could have played today but hasnt, so i suspect that he is replaceable in our team. Fellaini played the last 5 games, seems van Gaal needs him at the moment mroe than Herrera. I would like to see them both, but cant see Herrera starting with Mata on form and especially if Di maria gets fit.
     
    izec said:
    Yes it happens often with Fellaini, but it isnt his ideal role. Herrera would look out of depth too in front of the back 3.
    Click to expand...

    To be clear, neither of them is playing 'in front of the back 3', as a holding midfielder or shield. Fellaini's role has been box-to-box, which is what Herrera tends to do when he's in midfield too. But for me Herrera contributes more offensively and defensively. Fellaini only really adds strength in the air.
     
    Brightonian said:
    To be clear, neither of them is playing 'in front of the back 3', as a holding midfielder or shield. Fellaini's role has been box-to-box, which is what Herrera tends to do when he's in midfield too. But for me Herrera contributes more offensively and defensively. Fellaini only really adds strength in the air.
    Click to expand...

    He's also a bit of a bully, which can be useful. Herrera is a much tidyer type.
     
    Brightonian said:
    To be clear, neither of them is playing 'in front of the back 3', as a holding midfielder or shield. Fellaini's role has been box-to-box, which is what Herrera tends to do when he's in midfield too. But for me Herrera contributes more offensively and defensively. Fellaini only really adds strength in the air.
    Click to expand...

    yes, but occasionally they will drop deep, Herrera played at times even further than Mata on the pitch. Herrera is all over the place, Fellaini isnt that much. I just think that Herrera wont play in the 3-5-2 formation as a CM if the other CM isnt Fellaini,Carrick or Blind i.e. a more defensive minded midfielder. While you may disagree that Fellaini is one, LvG thinks different. Herrera is fit and doesnt start, he is too similar to Mata and Di Maria. Fellaini is tall, has a presence (even if you think it is useless), brings balance and something different compared to the other players. We have problems defensively, with Herrera it would get worse in that formation with these players.
     
    Will probably be another scrappy away win, but we'll take it as that means 7 wins on the bounce and another game ticked off during a busy holiday period.
     
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Man of the Match

Ashley Young image Ashley Young 46% of 632 votes

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Score Predictions

676,35,38
  • Man Utd win
  • Aston Villa win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 21% Aston Villa 0:2 Man Utd
  • 18% Aston Villa 1:3 Man Utd
  • 17% Aston Villa 0:3 Man Utd
  • 14% Aston Villa 1:2 Man Utd
  • 8% Aston Villa 0:4 Man Utd
  • 6% Aston Villa 1:4 Man Utd
  • 3% Aston Villa 0:5 Man Utd
  • 3% Aston Villa 1:1 Man Utd
  • 2% Aston Villa 0:1 Man Utd
  • 1% Aston Villa 2:3 Man Utd
  • 1% Aston Villa 0:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Aston Villa 2:1 Man Utd
  • 1% Aston Villa 2:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Aston Villa 2:2 Man Utd
  • 1% Aston Villa 3:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Aston Villa 1:5 Man Utd
  • 1% Aston Villa 1:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Aston Villa 4:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Aston Villa 5:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Aston Villa 3:2 Man Utd
  • 0% Aston Villa 3:3 Man Utd
  • 0% Aston Villa 4:4 Man Utd
  • 0% Aston Villa 2:4 Man Utd
  • 0% Aston Villa 3:1 Man Utd
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Match Stats

  1. Aston Villa
  2. Man Utd
Possession
35% 65%
Shots
10 16
Shots on Target
4 9
Corners
3 9
Fouls
9 10

Referee

Lee Mason

Man Utd Lineup

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