Aston Villa – Manchester United

1. Join us at 1730 GMT for Manchester United's trip to Villa. Can they extend their lead at the top?

2. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1106/siralexfergusonapplause_275x155.jpg"><br>Sir Alex has some defensive issues to contend with

3. RVP is aiming to make Villa crumble, writes Michael Wade. Read his preview <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/preview/345747/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739" target="_blank">here</a>

4. Aston Villa starting line-up: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Stevens, Westwood, Bannan, Ireland, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke. Subs: Given, Albrighton, Holman, Delph, El Ahmadi, Bowery, Williams.

5. Manchester United starting line-up: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Young, Rooney, Van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard, Buttner, Anderson, Cleverley, Fletcher, Welbeck, Hernandez.

6. The teams are out onto the pitch and completing their one minute's silence.

7. And we're off...

8. United getting hold of the ball straight away and playing some nice passes around.

9. 2'

   Still United with the ball. Villa can't get a touch.

10. 2'

    Ashley Young predictably gets booed by the Villa fans.

11. 3'

    Villa finally get hold of it but hoof it up the pitch to concede possession again.

12. 3'

    Carrick with a driving run into the box. He gets tackled but the ball falls to Valencia who drills it at goal and it deflects off for a corner.

13. 4'

    Carrick rises to head the resulting Van Persie corner at goal but it is straight at Guzan.

14. 5'

    It is all United in these opening few minutes. Looking very strong in possession.

15. 5'

    Young cuts inside from the left and tries to curl in an effort towards goal but it falls just wide.

16. 6'

    Scholes is proving pretty influential on the ball already. Spraying it around nicely.

17. 7'

    A counter from Villa but the move breaks down with Benteke.

18. 8'

    Scholes brings down Ireland on the edge of the area for a free-kick.

19. 8'

    Agbonlahor does well to get his head onto the free-kick but his effort is deflected wide for the corner.

20. 9'

    Chance for Villa but Young does well to tackle Benteke at the last minute just as the Belgian was ready to pull the trigger.

21. 10'

    A decent spell for Villa. They are throwing plenty of balls into the box.

22. 11'

    Scholes gives it away cheaply to Ireland but the midfielder just fails to pick out Weimann.

23. 12'

    Young tries to force his way down the left wing towards goal but Lowton does well to stand him up before averting the danger.

24. 12'

    Villa have been a little wasteful in possession so far. They try to break but Benteke's touch lets him down and he loses it.

25. 13'

    Scholes drops deep to pick up the ball and sends a great cross-field ball to Rafael down the right but the full back's cross is deflected off for the throw.

26. 14'

    Villa waste a great chance as Weimann charges down the middle but he fails to pick out Ireland who was waiting on the edge of the box totally unmarked.

27. 15'

    Another great chance for Villa as Benteke stays onside as he runs in on goal but Ferdinand is there to intercept his cross into the middle. Should have done better.

28. 16'

    Carrick fizzes a ball in towards Van Persie but his deft touch just fails to find Rooney.

29. 18'

    Despite United having the majority of the possession Villa have looked dangerous on the break.

30. 18'

    Ireland plays in Agbonlahor down the right in space but his cross fails to pick out Benteke waiting in the middle.

31. 19'

    United's defence has looked a little vulnerable this evening. Villa are finding plenty of space behind the full backs.

32. 20'

    Scholes with a nice flick to play in Van Persie in the box but the striker runs straight into the Villa defence.

33. 21'

    Valencia proving a real threat down the right. He tries to fire in another cross but Stevens is there to put the block in.

34. 22'

    A clumsy challenge from Westwood brings down Young in a potentially dangerous area.

35. 22'

    Valencia plays in Rafael who sends in a hanging cross but both Rooney and Young fail to get on the end of it.

36. 23'

    Valencia again on the ball down the right. This time he tries a shot-cum-cross that sails high and wide.

37. 24'

    Bannan sends a ball from deep into the box looking for Benteke but the striker can only flick it on for a goal kick.

38. 25'

    A misplaced Scholes pass plays in Benteke clean through on goal but Ireland is adjudged to have fouled the United man.

39. 26'

    United looking sloppy in their own half at times tonight.

40. 26'

    United play the ball around very nicely but Rafael's eventual cross is blocked for a throw-in.

41. 27'

    Weimann does very well to flick on a ball from Lowton towards Benteke. The Belgian runs down the right before driving a ball across goal but nobody is in the middle.

42. 29'

    Van Persie tries to slide a ball into Young but the winger eventually loses out to Clark and the move breaks down.

43. 30'

    Benteke has a looked a real threat. United will have to watch him carefully tonight.

44. 31'

    Young plays in Evra down the left in space but the full back's cross is scrambled away by the Villa defence.

45. 31'

    Valencia plays in Rafael but the full back fails to pick a United player out with his delivery.

46. 31'

    Both United full backs have been getting forward very well.

47. 33'

    Scholes tries to strike an effort from long-distance but it canons off Bannan and falls into the arms of Guzan.

48. 34'

    Valencia tries to come forward down the right but he is fended off well by Stevens.

49. 35'

    Ireland has a go from 25 yards but his effort was always bending wide of the post.

50. 36'

    So just one effort on target so far. A fair few half chances but nothing too clear-cut as of yet.

51. 38'

    Valencia sends in another ball but Lowton is there to header it clear.

52. 38'

    Valencia has looked like United's biggest threat so far. They look most like scoring from down that right-hand side.

53. 39'

    Benteke does brilliantly to bring down a long ball before being fouled by Ferdinand. Great work.

54. 40'

    Bannan sends the resulting free-kick in towards the far post but United head clear.

55. 41'

    Smalling appears to be bleeding. Looks like a gash to the face.

56. 42'

    70% possession for United to Villa's 30%. That says a lot considering how few chances the away side have managed to create.

57. 43'

    I expect Sir Alex will be hoping for a major improvement in the final third in the second half.

58. 44'

    Rooney tries a long-range speculative effort but it was never troubling Guzan. He sends it right down the middle.

59. 45'

    Stevens sends in a decent cross for Villa but nobody was in the middle to get on the end of it.

60. 45'

    That has been a bit of a recurring theme for Villa in this first half.

61. 45'

    One minute of injury time to be played.

62. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR VILLA. WEIMANN.</b>

63. 45'

    Excellent goal for Villa. Fantastic work from Benteke as he shakes off Smalling with ease before picking out Weimann on the edge of the box who fires it in first time past De Gea. Great strike.

64. 45'

    And practically the last touch of the half as the half-time whistle goes.

65. 45'

    Well it hasn't been a classic really has it? But that goal comes at a great time for Villa who will be full of confidence for the second half. United have dominated possession but failed to create any clear-cut chances, while Villa have been a threat on the break all half, as seen with the goal.

66. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Hernandez comes on for Young.

67. 46'

    And the second half is under way...

68. 46'

    I have a feeling we will see a response to the Villa goal from United fairly quickly.

69. 48'

    Rooney plays in Van Persie but the Dutchman can't pick Hernandez out with his lofted cross.

70. 49'

    Valencia sends in a dangerous delivery but it is just overhit.

71. 49'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1110/andresweimanngoal20121110_275x155.jpg"><br>Weimann slots the ball past De Gea to open the scoring.

72. 49'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR VILLA. WEIMANN.</b>

73. 49'

    A fantastic move from Villa. Ireland plays in Agbonlahor down the left who picks out Weimann with an inch-perfect cross. A simple tap in for the Austrian.

74. 51'

    Villa looking very dangerous at the minute. Agbonlahor, full of confidence, drives towards the United goal at pace but his touch lets him down and he loses control.

75. 52'

    Agbonalor tries to burst past Rafael but the defender just gets his foot to it.

76. 53'

    Valencia whips in a ball for United which is cleared. Scholes tries to play in Valencia but the Villa defence are able to deal with it.

77. 53'

    It's real end-to-end stuff at the moment.

78. 54'

    You certainly wouldn't bet against Villa grabbing a third. They are playing with real confidence now.

79. 54'

    Van Persie tries to create space for a shot at goal but Clark gets the block in.

80. 55'

    I don't think many would have had this scoreline down before the game, considering Villa's recent form.

81. 56'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Ireland goes into the book for a late challenge on Smalling.

82. 56'

    Scholes dropping deep to get the ball for United. He is at the centre of everything they have been doing tonight. Another fine performance from the ageing midfielder.

83. 57'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR UNITED. HERNANDEZ.</b>

84. 58'

    A lovely goal for United. It's that man Scholes again who picks out the run of Hernandez with a delightful ball. The striker appears to have got the ball stuck under his feet before he produces a finish of real quality to send it past Guzan.

85. 60'

    United really needed that goal. Hernandez coming to the rescue of his side once again.

86. 61'

    Scholes with a chance from a corner but he just fails to get enough contact on the ball with his header.

87. 61'

    Benteke with a great header to bring out a decent save from De Gea but the whistle had already been blown for offside.

88. 61'

    Van Persie tries to fire a long-range effort in on goal but he sends it high and wide.

89. 63'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR UNITED. HERNANDEZ.</b>

90. 63'

    Rafael sends in a delightful ball, following a neat pass from Rooney, and it is that man Hernandez again who is there at the far post to volley it home. It takes a huge deflection off Vlaar to help it in.

91. 64'

    Rooney brings out a superb stop from Guzan as he launches a 25-yard strike towards the bottom corner. The keeper gets down low to tip it away.

92. 66'

    De Gea pull off a great save to deny Weimann the hat-trick as the Austrian plants a strong header onto Bannan's accurate delivery.

93. 67'

    Villa certainly don't look deflated after losing their two-goal lead. Just the response Paul Lambert will have been looking for from his players.

94. 68'

    It feels like there could still be a few more goals in this game, given the openness of it at the moment. A vast improvement on the first half.

95. 69'

    Benteke tries to create some space and fire in a long-range effort at goal but Carrick puts in a last-ditch tackle.

96. 69'

    United play it around the Villa box patiently before Valencia overhits his cross from the right.

97. 70'

    A chance for Villa as Lowton picks out Benteke in the box but Smalling does well to put the challenge in.

98. 71'

    Vlaar fires in a 30-yarder at goal but it deflects off a sea of players and De Gea is able to deal with it comfortably.

99. 72'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cleverley comes on for Scholes. United bring some fresh legs on.

100. 72'

     Van Persie hits the woodwork with a thumping close-range header from Rooney's corner.

101. 73'

     And the Dutchman hits the bar again. This time with a beautiful curling effort that looked to be heading for the top corner. Great strike.

102. 74'

     United really pushing for this third goal now. It feels imminent.

103. 74'

     Rooney is allowed room by the Villa defence to shoot towards goal but his effort was always rising.

104. 75'

     Benteke does brilliantly to bring down a goal kick on his chest. Such strength the striker has.

105. 76'

     Lowton sends in a dangerous ball from the right, following some nice play by Benteke, but it is just too high for the unmarked Agbonlahor to get on the end of.

106. 77'

     United keep knocking on the door at the moment but the Villa defence are coping well.

107. 78'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Anderson comes on for Rooney. The striker does not look best pleased.

108. 79'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> El Ahmadi comes on for Ireland.

109. 80'

     A tense final ten minutes. Villa have reverted to having to concede United the possession while attempting to hit them on the break.

110. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Holman comes on for two-goal man Weimann.

111. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1110/javierhernandezgoal20121110_275x155.jpg"><br>Hernandez volleys home his second, via a big deflection off Vlaar.

112. 82'

     United are camped in Villa's half at the moment. The home side with ten men behind the ball.

113. 83'

     Rafael fires a long-range effort at goal but he hits it way over.

114. 83'

     Evra sends a very dangerous ball into the box from the left but Bannan is just able to get his foot to the ball to clear for a corner.

115. 84'

     Lowton this time just manages to get his foot to the ball just as Cleverley was ready to fire an effort at goal.

116. 85'

     Holman with a driving run down the right tries to force his way towards goal but Evra is just able to scramble the ball away.

117. 86'

     Van Persie tries to pick out the run of Hernandez but Lowton is able to intercept and clear the danger.

118. 87'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Delph takes to the field to replace Bannan.

119. 87'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR UNITED. HERNANDEZ.</b>

120. 87'

     Van Perise whips a dangerous free-kick into the box and Hernandez dives to get his head on the ball, sending it into the bottom corner. Great header, Guzan with no chance.

121. 89'

     Fantastic comeback from United doing what they do best this season. It was never in doubt was it?

122. 90'

     Surely there is no way back for Villa now as still United dominate possession.

123. 90'

     Hernandez will be pushing for a place in the starting line-up after this superb performance from the Mexican.

124. 90'

     Five minutes of injury time to be played.

125. 90'

     Villa trying the long ball now. Smalling clears with an excellent defensive header.

126. 90'

     Villa come close as Holman gets on the end of a Benteke knock-back with a powerful strike but Evra does well to get the block in.

127. 90'

     First De Gea and then Smalling manage to clear Villa balls into the box.

128. 90'

     Time is ticking for Villa...

129. 90'

     Lowton sends a low ball into the box but United get it clear.

130. 90'

     De Gea running down the clock with a free-kick.

131. 90'

     Last chance for Villa now surely.

132. 90'

     No the referee blows the whistle and it's all over.

133. 90'

     What a fine comeback from United. Villa did ever so well to take a two-goal lead but the comeback kings, and Hernandez especially, fought back valiantly. You have to say they deserved it too. United extend their lead at the top to four points, with Chelsea set to meet Liverpool tomorrow.

134. 90'

     See you next time.

Sağlayıcının güncel lig tablosudur; maçın oynandığı tarihteki sıralama olmayabilir.