MANCHESTER UNITED 1 ASTON VILLA 0

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT OLD TRAFFORD 

Before kick off Aston Villa could have been relegated had Norwich drawn or beaten Sunderland. That did not happen but the inevitable did as Manchester United beat Aston Villa thanks to another goal by Marcus Rashford.

From the kick off United quickly settled into their groove and carried on where they left off at Upton Park last Wednesday by passing the ball crisply and keeping possession.

With 9 minutes of the game gone, United were awarded a free kick for a foul on Wayne Rooney who was making his first start in two months. Memphis whipped the ball into the box but Marcos Rojo’s header was over the bar. 

The Villa fans who knew the inevitable was coming turned up in numbers and sang that they were going down. Just after the half hour mark Antonio Valencia crossed into the box and Marcus Rashford who is in a rich vein of form half turned and hit a low shot past Brad Guzan to give United the lead. That was Rashford’s 7^th goal in just 12 games for United. No wonder some are asking whether Roy Hodgson might take him to the European Championship as a wild card.

United led 1-0 at the break.  Just after the break United should have doubled their lead. Juan Mata fed Rashford inside the box but his shot was just wide of the post.  

With 6 minutes of the game remaining from a corner second half substitute Rudy Gestede hit the post. Villa were still fighting as United appear to have their mind on next Saturday’s semi at Wembley and showed signs of fatigue from their FA Cup quarter final replay against West Ham.  They were not their usual selves despite starting fast and at times the pace of the game resembled that of a testimonial. 

The game was summed up when second half substitute Anthony Martial took the ball in the corner in stoppage time and the Old Trafford faithful booed their disapproval of a team known for their attacking philosophy over the years.  Rashford’s goal could not disguise the malaise at Old Trafford.

United crawled over the line at the end to claim the points. As for Villa fans they sang, “I am Villa till I die.”  If only the club had reciprocated the loyalty of these fans, Villa who once won the European Club would not be in the peril they are now. That was Villa’s 9^th straight defeat in the league.