Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1: Mat Kendrick's analysis and stats
Feb 11 2010 by Mat Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
WHEN the immovable object met the irresistible force something had to give.
But while the Premier League’s meanest defence will be disappointed to have conceded against the top-flight’s deadliest attack a point a piece was the fairest conclusion from last night’s collision.
Villa will be relieved to have emerged with their Champions League ambitions still in tact – and Martin O’Neill will be praying that Stiliyan Petrov’s ankles are similarly sound after a shocking tackle by Nani.
The Manchester United winger will miss the Carling Cup final through suspension after his sending off, while the claret and blues eagerly await a positive fitness bulletin about Petrov’s Wembley involvement.
Carlos Cuellar got Villa off to the perfect start in this dress rehearsal with a headed opener before an unfortunate James Collins own-goal drew United level midway through the first half.
But Villa’s hopes of doing their first home and away double over the Old Trafford side since 1954-55 were dashed as the sides cancelled each other out after the break.
Villa employed a 4-5-1 formation for the first time since the victory over Blues in late September, partly because their opponents’ potency and partly because of their own striking shortcomings.
The system, which worked so successfully for O’Neill for a large portion of last season introduced Fabian Delph at the expense of injured Emile Heskey with fit-again John Carew left to stew on the bench.
