Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Aston Villa 1 United 2: Player ratings
Kuszczak: Looks ever more comfortable between the sticks. Nothing he could do about Milner's penalty, but rarely looked like being beaten after that 7 Rafael: Excellent until injury forced him off. Nullified the threat of Downing, while constantly looking to get forward himself 8[LNB] Vidic: Disastrous start. The Serbian was once again shown up for pace to bring down Agbonlahor for a penalty after Villa's first attack 6[LNB] Evans: Looked the steadier of United's centre backs and with each passing week looks increasingly like Vidic's successor 7[LNB] Evra: Captain for the day, he was United's main threat down the left on the overlap from Park. Rarely threatened by Young or Downing when Villa switched the wingers 7[LNB] Valencia: United didn't make enough of him wide right, but he showed how dangerous he could be with his measured cross for Rooney's winner 7[LNB] Carrick: Strolled around central midfield like he owned it. If he wasn't breaking up Villa attacks, he was creating his own 8[LNB] Fletcher: The Scotland international was everywhere as United dominated central midfield. Compelling battle with Petrov 8[LNB] Park: Solid performance and did his part in quelling the threat of Young before being substituted late on 7[LNB] Berbatov: One of the Bulgarian's best performances in a United shirt. Has been in encouraging form of late and was full of energy and enterprise not least with his assist for Owen. Also played a part in Rooney's winner 9[LNB] Owen: The finish for his goal was classic Owen. Unfortunately, so was the manner in which he pulled up with an injury just before half time 7[LNB] Substitutes[LNB] Rooney (for Owen, 42): United's golden had looked quiet until his fifth headed goal in a row. Could have made it six with another bullet that hit the post and from then on it was the Rooney show. Outstanding again 8[LNB] Neville (for Rafael, 66): Villa put Young on him to try to test his aging legs, but it amounted to little 6[LNB] Gibson (for Park, 85): Too late to make an impact.[LNB] Referee Phil Dowd: Big mistake not sending off Vidic. 3/5[LNB] Bookings:[LNB] United: Evra, 41, Vidic, 68 [LNB] Villa: Collins, 11, Downing, 18 [LNB] Att: 88596 Agree with the ratings? Have your say. [LNB]
