Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Villa 1 United 1
Ten-man Manchester United picked up a valuable point at Aston Villa despite Nani's early dismissal.[LNB] The score was already 1-1 when the Portuguese winger was sent off after 29 minutes for a two-footed lunge on Villa's Stiliyan Petrov, and he will now miss the Carling Cup final.[LNB] United fell behind when Carlos Cuellar headed in but the Reds were soon back on level terms when James Collins scored an own-goal.[LNB] Sir Alex Ferguson's side are just a point behind Chelsea now after the leaders lost 2-1 at Everton. Ferguson is at pains to ensure some continuity in his selection and six of his XI at Villa Park have played the last four matches. But there is still room for some freshening up and tactical manoeuvre. Thus Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes replaced Antonio Valencia to beef up the midfield and scorer against Portsmouth, Dimitar Berbatov, was sacrificed as the 4-4-2 system was shelved for the time being. Teenage Brazilian Rafael's youthful pace was favoured in place of Gary Neville to attempt to combat the lightning pace of Villa's left side. The excess of personnel in United's engine room didn't really do the job initially as Villa were quicker, snappier and far more effective in the tackle and it gave the home side the advantage. It was from that base that Villa built and took the lead. A 19th minute cross from Stewart Downing bounced off Rafael to Cuellar, who looped an instinctive reaction header over Edwin Van der Sar. Back in December, when Martin O'Neill's side won 1-0 at Old Trafford, the champions were an uncertain unit low on imagination. But two months on and the Reds have topped up their confidence tank - this goal was merely an irritation to them. Of course, United have also had more than their fair share of luck where own goals are concerned this campaign. Collins own-goal The club's second top scorer are OG's. That stat was swelled by a hat-trick of the from Portsmouth last Saturday and it grew even further as the Reds forced Collins into a panicked attempt at a clearance just four minutes after going behind. United's sweeping move and penetration did deserve reward and Nani's deep cross was met with a superb Giggs volley that Collins turned into his own net. But just as you thought Lady Luck was riding alongside the Reds once again, she nipped off for a break. Five minutes after drawing level and with Nani having been instrumental in the equaliser the Portuguese winger's new world came crashing down around his ears. The 23-year-old has expressed his wish to be a story maker for United and he has certainly written much better scripts of late. But here a fresh black page was penned as he suffered the second sending off of his United career. He was sent to the stands for a reckless studs up challenge on Petrov that was at best was going to look foolish and at worst dangerous. At normal speed it looked the latter and referee Lee Mason had no hesitation in ending Nani's glorious run of form. He will now be missing against Everton, West Ham and cruelly for the winger the Carling Cup final against Villa. Despite that blow United were the side most likely to win this when Valencia replaced Scholes at half time to replace the width lost by Nani's early exit and Wayne Rooney got his teeth into the lone task up front. But despite decent chances at both ends, neither side could make the breakthrough. What is your verdict on the game? Have your say. [LNB]
