Deadbat
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It was an unexpected point on the road for United as they denied Villa the chance to go outright top of the Premier League. In the end, the Blades will be disappointed not to take all three points as another late goal denied them in the 7th minute of the 9 added on. However, despite this equaliser, United will look back and reflect that it was an excellent point against a side that had won 15 home games in a row and have been absolutely flying.
Manager Wilder rotated his pack with maybe one eye on the game with Luton on Boxing Day and opted to leave Hamer, McAtee and McBurnie on the bench. Slimane made his first start and back in the side were Baldock, Norwood and skipper for the day Robinson, back from suspension. Ahmedhodzic was out injured and Larouci preferred to Max Lowe. Cameron Archer started up top against his former side and it seemed Baldock was playing on the right of three centre backs in a 5-4-1 formation.
Villa began with England striker Ollie Watkins leading their line supported by Bailey, Diaby, and Ramsey behind.
After the light show before kick-off, United had the ball in the Villa third but Larouci could not find Archer. After this, Villa started to take over and the home side had two appeals for penalties in the opening few minutes. The first was for a push/shirt pull on Souza but Taylor waved it away and Stockley Park did not see enough to overturn it. The subsequent corner saw Trusty lose Konsa and more contact was initiated but again nothing was given. Bailey was a threat down the right and he found Diaby whose low finish was saved well from Foderingham and the ball then hit Robinson’s hand on the rebound but clearly being on the ground there was nothing he could do about that and again there was no penalty given.
Villa were completely dominating the possession and looking to prompt and probe. United in contrast were just happy to help the ball clear and then revert to an organised defensive shape. Villa were not creating much although were dangerous from set plays. From one such corner, the ball came over and Trusty lost his man, Konsa again and the header went over. Watkins then had a chance but put it well over. The Blades could not get out and were defending exclusively although one rare break saw Bogle cut inside but his cross evaded the two United players in the box. Villa continued to move it around and Bailey got away from Larouci, who had otherwise stuck to his task against a skilled and quick opponent. Brooks got his foot in twice to make some good challenges and showed an almost telescopic leg to retrieve one tackle.
The stop start nature of the game frustrated the Villa fans but they had only tested Foderingham once in the game and United, although sloppy when they were occasionally on the ball, were organised and keeping a solid backline. The half time whistle came and the Blades would have been happy that they had executed the defensive side of the plan.
The trend of the first half continued with the home side moving the ball around and looking for the opening but Robinson and Trusty remained in imperious mood and with Souza working hard in front, there were little spaces for openings to be carved out. Larouci had a good break out and was fouled several times by Bailey before he finally got his man and hauled him down – earning a regulation booking. The United man than was booked for a foul on his counterpart only moments later! Wisely Wilder took him off for Lowe soon after. Hamer also came on for Brooks.
Just after this a corner came in and as Foderingham could not quite get there, the ball bounced down and Baldock made a mess of his clearance and the ball was played across and Bailey finished from close range. There was a check for a foul on the United goalkeeper and after they finally found an angle, Taylor was asked to go and look at the replays and he chalked it off citing the hold from Watkins on Foderingham’s hand.
Bogle was booked for a clumsy tackle on Ramsey and then there was incredibly another VAR check for a handball on Baldock but they adjudged it had hit his shoulder/breast rather than the arm. Villa were really putting the pressure on and looking to break their deadlock their domination deserved but they had created few clear chances.
Wilder brought on fresh legs with McAtee on for Slimane and this change signalled a spell where United were finally able to get out and up the pitch. Moreno and Duran came on for Digne and Diaby for the home side. The Blades finally had a chance and a shot when Hamer’s cross dropped for Norwood and his curling effort was saved by Martinez. The next attack saw Lowe well forward and his cross hit Konsa and deflected narrowly wide. Zaniolo came on for Bailey as the game entered the final 10 minutes. Archer then had a shot blocked before Norwood hit one over the bar. Duran caught Robinson drawing claret from the Scousers head but VAR did not see enough to tell Taylor to go and have a look.
It was a really improved period of play from the visitors and it culminated with a shock goal on 87 minutes with Robinson still off the field! The ball was played down the right and Hamer kept his composure to jink back inside and roll a cross over to ARCHER who side footed home to spark jubilant scenes in the away end.
Villa looked to respond and the crowd were buoyed by the decision to award 9 minutes of stoppage time at which point McBurnie came on. United switched off at the far post and Foderingham had to make the save from Moreno. United were holding firm seemingly but as the game ticked into the 97th minutes, late heartbreak ensued. An appeal for a raised hand was waved away and the ball was moved to the right and Luiz sent over an excellent cross but both the goalkeeper and defence will be disappointed that as they were floundering, the sub Zaniolo got there first to glance home. Villa now sensed an unlikely win and for United the real concerns was could this be a case of déjà vu with the Spurs defeat very much in their minds. United did prevent any further serious attacks and ended the game at the right end of the pitch as they won a point no one really expected pre kick off.
United – Well it was an odd feeling. A great point but then to let one in so late is maddening too. The chance to win games in this league do not come very often for us so to get so close, like Spurs away and to a high placed side is frustrating. However, when the dust has settled as Neville said after the game, it is an excellent point. It is another strange one to analyse. Villa had 78% possession, dominated the game pretty much from start to finish but then did not create that much and outside of all the VAR stuff and appeals (surprised at least one was not given and the goal also I felt would have been allowed to stand) they did not create much really. Wes made maybe two saves all night. They passed it around a lot and were almost entirely in our half till towards the end of the game but they were quite poor in penetrating us. For that I praise United as we had a good shape, solid defensively and did work hard. We were not ran through time after time. We did sit deep and invite pressure but maybe that was part of the plan? I do not think we played particularly well. It was a plan and it frustrated Villa but on the ball I thought we were hopeless for the most part and quite negative. I think we can still defend and be well set up as we were, but we often just punted it away or kicked it out and then just went back to defence mode where I felt with some (any) care of the ball we would at least get up the field and thus give the defence a break from the ball constantly coming at them. Some of the passing/decisions were awful really the few times we had it. We did make the game niggly and lots of little fouls here and there and stoppages helped us. VAR kind of went for us (will discuss later) in most cases and as the game went on, you thought we might maybe nick a point even thought I felt inevitable they may break through as we had defended so much and chased a lot meaning we were fatigued.
The subs gave us a bit of a lift and then for 5 minutes we had a spell and finally had a shot from Norwood and then another from him, the deflected cross from Lowe that nearly went in and then Archer had a shot blocked. The goal came soon after as Villa maybe got away with the elbow on Robinson and Hamer showed real composure and picked out Archer. This was a massive moment but the inevitable huge period of stoppage time is put up (I thought 9 seemed a minute or so too much even with the VAR checks) and you have the strange thoughts of I would probably still settle for a point. As it goes on, you then think well they might not have time to get two but sadly they did get one. A poor goal and although there is fault for not stopping the cross, no one getting tight or going with the runner, it is a basic goalkeeping error. He had done ok apart from that but again shows why we need to upgrade here at this level. He must get there once he comes. I do not agree with some who say he goes as no defender did. He was just too slow and then is in no-mans land. In a weird way he would have been better staying at home and then might have a chance. There were a few balls that came in his box he did not get from crosses which was ironic as in general play he was good in terms of coming off his line. Really annoying but at least we did not let another one in I suppose! Still to break Villa’s record is impressive and is another point and it seems we will break Derby’s record at least. For a day we are off the bottom too!
We have definitely become more resolute and organised under Wilder. However, I am not sure that it was a brilliant performance particularly in that we looked so limited in terms of just kicking it away or out often and no effort was made to keep it/pass it till the closing stages. There were some good foot in/tackles etc but we also looked susceptible on set plays and I think they still had a fair bit of time with the ball in the final third but made poor decisions. I suppose it seems harsh saying I don’t think we were very good when we draw at Villa and restrict them to few chances but I thought we looked an extremely limited side, which we are, at this level. The counter argument is we had to just make it ugly and defend and do all the bits and pieces and I suppose we kind of did that. Just wish we were better with the football and surely players can make basic passes or decisions so it’s not a constant game of just defending. It is like we are almost kicking it out of an area in a game of defence v attack and then setting up again and it just repeats. It is frustrating but suppose with McAtee and Hamer out, we did not have players who could maybe get us going up the pitch.
As a team we defended well though and did restrict them to very little in terms of clear-cut chances. I thought the midfield lads before they came on did ok defensively but were so poor with the ball (Norwood particularly – again seen some thought he played well so it’s a game of opinions!). Archer worked hard with very little service. Brooks was our best player first half but Slimane not really in it. Souza had a good first half but then faded and his legs seemed to have gone by the end. Thought Trusty was ok but Robinson superb and despite getting beat a few times that Larouci did ok. Bogle also continued his improvements. Baldock had a bit of a shocker. Lowe actually did ok save for losing his man twice in key moments but went forward a few times. McAtee and Hamer helped in terms of dribbling, moving us up the pitch and involved in some of the chances we had.
It least now we go into Luton with an unexpected point. Hopefully a few of the players with knocks can start as Wilder said Hamer, McBurnie and McAtee were all carrying things. McBurnie has to play, if fit, due to the size of Luton. Will be tough and they are a physical side with a clear plan but if we can get it into our ball players, think we can create chances as they do concede goals. Lane will be sold out so hopefully we can continue our gradual improvements in performances and I suppose results. I expect Forest will win today (new manager bounce and playing Bournemouth) and then the gap is already way too much for the bottom three. However, at least we are not embarrassing ourselves in games/results at the moment and that is a marked improvement so credit to Wilder for that.
Manager Wilder rotated his pack with maybe one eye on the game with Luton on Boxing Day and opted to leave Hamer, McAtee and McBurnie on the bench. Slimane made his first start and back in the side were Baldock, Norwood and skipper for the day Robinson, back from suspension. Ahmedhodzic was out injured and Larouci preferred to Max Lowe. Cameron Archer started up top against his former side and it seemed Baldock was playing on the right of three centre backs in a 5-4-1 formation.
Villa began with England striker Ollie Watkins leading their line supported by Bailey, Diaby, and Ramsey behind.
After the light show before kick-off, United had the ball in the Villa third but Larouci could not find Archer. After this, Villa started to take over and the home side had two appeals for penalties in the opening few minutes. The first was for a push/shirt pull on Souza but Taylor waved it away and Stockley Park did not see enough to overturn it. The subsequent corner saw Trusty lose Konsa and more contact was initiated but again nothing was given. Bailey was a threat down the right and he found Diaby whose low finish was saved well from Foderingham and the ball then hit Robinson’s hand on the rebound but clearly being on the ground there was nothing he could do about that and again there was no penalty given.
Villa were completely dominating the possession and looking to prompt and probe. United in contrast were just happy to help the ball clear and then revert to an organised defensive shape. Villa were not creating much although were dangerous from set plays. From one such corner, the ball came over and Trusty lost his man, Konsa again and the header went over. Watkins then had a chance but put it well over. The Blades could not get out and were defending exclusively although one rare break saw Bogle cut inside but his cross evaded the two United players in the box. Villa continued to move it around and Bailey got away from Larouci, who had otherwise stuck to his task against a skilled and quick opponent. Brooks got his foot in twice to make some good challenges and showed an almost telescopic leg to retrieve one tackle.
The stop start nature of the game frustrated the Villa fans but they had only tested Foderingham once in the game and United, although sloppy when they were occasionally on the ball, were organised and keeping a solid backline. The half time whistle came and the Blades would have been happy that they had executed the defensive side of the plan.
The trend of the first half continued with the home side moving the ball around and looking for the opening but Robinson and Trusty remained in imperious mood and with Souza working hard in front, there were little spaces for openings to be carved out. Larouci had a good break out and was fouled several times by Bailey before he finally got his man and hauled him down – earning a regulation booking. The United man than was booked for a foul on his counterpart only moments later! Wisely Wilder took him off for Lowe soon after. Hamer also came on for Brooks.
Just after this a corner came in and as Foderingham could not quite get there, the ball bounced down and Baldock made a mess of his clearance and the ball was played across and Bailey finished from close range. There was a check for a foul on the United goalkeeper and after they finally found an angle, Taylor was asked to go and look at the replays and he chalked it off citing the hold from Watkins on Foderingham’s hand.
Bogle was booked for a clumsy tackle on Ramsey and then there was incredibly another VAR check for a handball on Baldock but they adjudged it had hit his shoulder/breast rather than the arm. Villa were really putting the pressure on and looking to break their deadlock their domination deserved but they had created few clear chances.
Wilder brought on fresh legs with McAtee on for Slimane and this change signalled a spell where United were finally able to get out and up the pitch. Moreno and Duran came on for Digne and Diaby for the home side. The Blades finally had a chance and a shot when Hamer’s cross dropped for Norwood and his curling effort was saved by Martinez. The next attack saw Lowe well forward and his cross hit Konsa and deflected narrowly wide. Zaniolo came on for Bailey as the game entered the final 10 minutes. Archer then had a shot blocked before Norwood hit one over the bar. Duran caught Robinson drawing claret from the Scousers head but VAR did not see enough to tell Taylor to go and have a look.
It was a really improved period of play from the visitors and it culminated with a shock goal on 87 minutes with Robinson still off the field! The ball was played down the right and Hamer kept his composure to jink back inside and roll a cross over to ARCHER who side footed home to spark jubilant scenes in the away end.
Villa looked to respond and the crowd were buoyed by the decision to award 9 minutes of stoppage time at which point McBurnie came on. United switched off at the far post and Foderingham had to make the save from Moreno. United were holding firm seemingly but as the game ticked into the 97th minutes, late heartbreak ensued. An appeal for a raised hand was waved away and the ball was moved to the right and Luiz sent over an excellent cross but both the goalkeeper and defence will be disappointed that as they were floundering, the sub Zaniolo got there first to glance home. Villa now sensed an unlikely win and for United the real concerns was could this be a case of déjà vu with the Spurs defeat very much in their minds. United did prevent any further serious attacks and ended the game at the right end of the pitch as they won a point no one really expected pre kick off.
United – Well it was an odd feeling. A great point but then to let one in so late is maddening too. The chance to win games in this league do not come very often for us so to get so close, like Spurs away and to a high placed side is frustrating. However, when the dust has settled as Neville said after the game, it is an excellent point. It is another strange one to analyse. Villa had 78% possession, dominated the game pretty much from start to finish but then did not create that much and outside of all the VAR stuff and appeals (surprised at least one was not given and the goal also I felt would have been allowed to stand) they did not create much really. Wes made maybe two saves all night. They passed it around a lot and were almost entirely in our half till towards the end of the game but they were quite poor in penetrating us. For that I praise United as we had a good shape, solid defensively and did work hard. We were not ran through time after time. We did sit deep and invite pressure but maybe that was part of the plan? I do not think we played particularly well. It was a plan and it frustrated Villa but on the ball I thought we were hopeless for the most part and quite negative. I think we can still defend and be well set up as we were, but we often just punted it away or kicked it out and then just went back to defence mode where I felt with some (any) care of the ball we would at least get up the field and thus give the defence a break from the ball constantly coming at them. Some of the passing/decisions were awful really the few times we had it. We did make the game niggly and lots of little fouls here and there and stoppages helped us. VAR kind of went for us (will discuss later) in most cases and as the game went on, you thought we might maybe nick a point even thought I felt inevitable they may break through as we had defended so much and chased a lot meaning we were fatigued.
The subs gave us a bit of a lift and then for 5 minutes we had a spell and finally had a shot from Norwood and then another from him, the deflected cross from Lowe that nearly went in and then Archer had a shot blocked. The goal came soon after as Villa maybe got away with the elbow on Robinson and Hamer showed real composure and picked out Archer. This was a massive moment but the inevitable huge period of stoppage time is put up (I thought 9 seemed a minute or so too much even with the VAR checks) and you have the strange thoughts of I would probably still settle for a point. As it goes on, you then think well they might not have time to get two but sadly they did get one. A poor goal and although there is fault for not stopping the cross, no one getting tight or going with the runner, it is a basic goalkeeping error. He had done ok apart from that but again shows why we need to upgrade here at this level. He must get there once he comes. I do not agree with some who say he goes as no defender did. He was just too slow and then is in no-mans land. In a weird way he would have been better staying at home and then might have a chance. There were a few balls that came in his box he did not get from crosses which was ironic as in general play he was good in terms of coming off his line. Really annoying but at least we did not let another one in I suppose! Still to break Villa’s record is impressive and is another point and it seems we will break Derby’s record at least. For a day we are off the bottom too!
We have definitely become more resolute and organised under Wilder. However, I am not sure that it was a brilliant performance particularly in that we looked so limited in terms of just kicking it away or out often and no effort was made to keep it/pass it till the closing stages. There were some good foot in/tackles etc but we also looked susceptible on set plays and I think they still had a fair bit of time with the ball in the final third but made poor decisions. I suppose it seems harsh saying I don’t think we were very good when we draw at Villa and restrict them to few chances but I thought we looked an extremely limited side, which we are, at this level. The counter argument is we had to just make it ugly and defend and do all the bits and pieces and I suppose we kind of did that. Just wish we were better with the football and surely players can make basic passes or decisions so it’s not a constant game of just defending. It is like we are almost kicking it out of an area in a game of defence v attack and then setting up again and it just repeats. It is frustrating but suppose with McAtee and Hamer out, we did not have players who could maybe get us going up the pitch.
As a team we defended well though and did restrict them to very little in terms of clear-cut chances. I thought the midfield lads before they came on did ok defensively but were so poor with the ball (Norwood particularly – again seen some thought he played well so it’s a game of opinions!). Archer worked hard with very little service. Brooks was our best player first half but Slimane not really in it. Souza had a good first half but then faded and his legs seemed to have gone by the end. Thought Trusty was ok but Robinson superb and despite getting beat a few times that Larouci did ok. Bogle also continued his improvements. Baldock had a bit of a shocker. Lowe actually did ok save for losing his man twice in key moments but went forward a few times. McAtee and Hamer helped in terms of dribbling, moving us up the pitch and involved in some of the chances we had.
It least now we go into Luton with an unexpected point. Hopefully a few of the players with knocks can start as Wilder said Hamer, McBurnie and McAtee were all carrying things. McBurnie has to play, if fit, due to the size of Luton. Will be tough and they are a physical side with a clear plan but if we can get it into our ball players, think we can create chances as they do concede goals. Lane will be sold out so hopefully we can continue our gradual improvements in performances and I suppose results. I expect Forest will win today (new manager bounce and playing Bournemouth) and then the gap is already way too much for the bottom three. However, at least we are not embarrassing ourselves in games/results at the moment and that is a marked improvement so credit to Wilder for that.
