EPL
If there was something missing from Old Trafford this season, it was the goals from Rooney’s feet. Not anymore! Rooney put behind his recent run of poor form as he scored a brace to give Manchester United a 3-1 win over Aston Villa and maintain their five point lead at the top of the table.
The game was only three quarters of a minute old when Rooney collected a long range pass from Van der Sar. He took one touch to control the ball and another to fire it past the keeper as United had the lead inside a minute. United came close to scoring many a time but Friedel kept Villa in the game with a couple of smart saves. However Rooney ensured that the first half finished just as it had started – with a goal! Nani’s cross from the right wing found Rooney who netted home with a half volley.
If United thought that the second goal would have punctured Villa, they were mistaken. Villa started the brighter side after the break and within a couple of minutes the referee turned down Darren Bent’s appeals for a penalty. Ashley Young then blasted a free kick over the bar as Villa looked threatening. Their persistence finally paid off in the 58th minute when Young found Downing in space on the right, who crossed for Bent to tap it home. However six minutes later, Vidic put the result beyond doubt when he blasted home a shot through the crowded penalty area. Villa’s only other chance came when Young’s shot bounced off the bar. Rooney was denied a hat trick by Friedel and Berbatov wasted a chance from close range but United had done enough to take home all the 3 points and continue their unbeaten surge in the tournament.
Tags: Aston Villa, English Premier League, EPL, Football, Manchester United, Old Trafford, Van Der Sar, Wayne Rooney
