Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 1
Manchester United are clinging on to the coat tails of Chelsea in the
Premiership title race after Ryan Giggs struck for the second time in 48 hours
to secure victory at Villa Park.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side will enter the New Year nine points adrift of the
Blues but will believe they can make inroads into that lead in 2005 if Giggs
maintains his current form.
The Welsh international looks as if he has gained a new lease of life and on
this form it is imperative the Red Devils find a solution to the deadlock over a
new contract for the winger.
United have now collected 22 points from their last eight matches with only a
last-gasp equaliser by Fulham denying them a maximum haul.
They were not at their imperious best but were still in control for long
periods against an injury-ravaged Villa who, in the words of manager David
O'Leary, are "down to the bare bones."
They will view it as dismal December after taking only one point in six
matches and it is vital that chairman Doug Ellis gives O'Leary sufficient funds
to bolster his squad in January.
O'Leary remains optimistic Southampton striker James Beattie will be heading
to Villa Park but he needs three or four players to supplement one of the
smallest squads in the Premiership.
United seized the initiative from the first whistle and Wayne Rooney soon
seized on to a pass from John O'Shea after a mistake by Liam Ridgewell.
The England striker's low shot was struck firmly across Villa 'keeper Thomas
Sorensen but he was able to save albeit at the second attempt.
Villa rallied briefly and midfielder Lee Hendrie tested Roy Carroll who was
forced to parry his curling effort around the post after being found in space by
Nolberto Solano's pass.
But it was a brief lull in United's dominance with Giggs looking so full of
confidence. One mazy run ended with a left-footed drive which deflected off
Ulises De la Cruz and landed on the top of Sorensen's goal.
Then Sorensen had to react sharply to tip Giggs' 12-yard drive over the bar.
It was now virtually one-way traffic towards the Villa goal and a Scholes shot
was deflected wide after a poor clearance by Ridgewell had set up the
opportunity.
Carroll atoned for his own error after 39 minutes when his throw-out was
deflected into the path of Solano.
His cross picked out the run of Ridgewell whose header was blocked at close
range by the Northern Ireland 'keeper.
Then after 41 minutes United took the lead through a move started and finished
by the impressive Giggs.
He played the ball out to John O'Shea on the right flank, then moved forward
to take the return pass before drilling his left-footed shot past Sorensen.
A fine pass from Solano picked out Carlton Cole inside the United penalty area
early in the second period but his first touch let him down and O'Shea was able
to intercept.
Giggs continued to look menacing and Alan Smith failed to make a full contact
on a cross from the winger and a relieved Sorensen was able to collect.
O'Shea was taken off after 59 minutes after picking up a thigh injury and
replaced by Roy Keane and then shortly afterwards Rooney made way for Cristiano
Ronaldo who almost made an instant impact with a dipping drive which flashed
inches wide.
There was not the same excitement in the second period with United generally
in command although Juan Pablo Angel flashed a 20 yarder just past Carroll's
post.
Smith should have added a second goal in injury-time but from five yards out
struck the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Teams
Aston Villa Sorensen, De la Cruz, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Barry,
Solano, Hendrie (Whittingham 67), Berson (Stefan Moore 87),
Davis, Angel, Cole (Luke Moore 54).
Subs Not Used: Drobny, Postma.
Man Utd Carroll, O'Shea (Keane 60), Ferdinand, Silvestre,
Heinze, Fletcher, Phil Neville, Scholes, Giggs,
Rooney (Ronaldo 61), Smith.
Subs Not Used: Bellion, Miller, Howard.
Booked: Ferdinand, O'Shea, Heinze.
Goals: Giggs 41.
Att: 42,593
Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
