United’s fearsome performance wasn’t enough as they fell to 2-1 loss at Aston Villa

Manchester United fell to a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. While Man United put in a gutsy performance, it was a difficult afternoon at Villa Park for a team lacking several key talents due to the African Cup of Nations. First half After two minutes of play, Matheus Cunha sought to put United in front with a surprise long-range effort that the Villa defence was not expecting. Unfortunately, the well-struck shot veered just wide of the right post. It then seemed as if Ollie Watkins would break through United’s defence on the opposite end of the field. Leny Yoro did well to stay on him, while Ayden Heaven made a superb block to deny the English striker. Seven minutes in, Heaven was the hero yet again. Following a blistering counter, John McGinn took a shot from the left, which Senne Lammens stopped with an impressive diving save. While the rebound fell to Watkins, Heaven jumped into his path to deny the forward yet again. It took until the 22nd minute for United to get their next shot. Bruno Fernandes thumped a long ball to Benjamin Sesko, who took a decent shot from within the box to force a leg save from Emiliano Martinez. After 32 minutes of play, Villa looked likely to score yet again as Morgan Rogers took a hard shot from far range, which Lammens did well to coolly collect. While United had been dominating possession, they lacked any real attacking threat. That is, until Cunha took another long-range strike that the keeper got a glove to. Fernandes then thumped the ball back into the box off the rebound, although nobody was there to collect it. United started to push into the hosts’ final third, retaining possession while searching for an opening. Fernandes took a left-footed shot from outside the box, forcing a save from the keeper that went out for a corner. With a minute to go before the break, Villa took the lead. Rogers sprinted to the edge of the box, dribbling past Yoro before unleashing a shot at the far post that soared over Lammens. Four minutes of added time were announced, giving United some more time to find a late equaliser before the break. Then, just moments later, United did exactly that. Patrick Dorgu did well to intercept the ball from Matty Cash, laying the ball off to Cunha, who smashed the ball past Martinez into the back of the net. It was an impressive end to the half for United, who did well to bounce back quickly after suffering a late blow. Manager Ruben Amorim will surely look to galvanise his team ahead of the second half, particularly as his men continue to appear likely to score. Second half With Fernandes harbouring a hamstring issue, he was substituted off for Lisandro Martinez. While a defender is not an ideal replacement for United’s primary playmaker, the African Cup of Nations has led to United facing a serious lack of options on the bench. Villa were on the attack, with Cash taking a shot that was deflected out for a corner. Then, United got up to the opposite end of the pitch, winning a corner of their own. When Luke Shaw’s cross was deflected back in his direction, the defender thumped another cross into the box that found Mason Mount. While Mount took a shot with his first touch, his attempt skidded wide of the far post. Martinez took a shot moments later, which veered just past the left post. In the 57th minute, United fell behind again. Rogers scored yet again, collecting the ball on the edge of the box and hammering it into the far corner of the goal, almost duplicating his first goal of the evening. Straight off the kick-off, United tried to respond. Diogo Dalot whipped in a shot from the edge of the box to force a save from the keeper. Dorgu pounced on the rebound, thumping a hard shot at goal that was deflected out of play. Clearly, United were intent on responding to the home side yet again. In the 68th minute, Manuel Ugarte was shown a yellow card for a foul on Boubacar Kamara. With 17 minutes left on the clock, Joshua Zirkzee came on for Ugarte, while Jack Fletcher replaced Sesko. United players were up in arms when it appeared that Amadou Onana handled the ball in the box. Upon closer inspection, VAR determined that a penalty would not be awarded. Seconds later, it seemed as if Cash handled the ball as well, yet the referee refused to act on this incident, too. In the 84th minute, Shea Lacey came on to replace Yoro, who suffered through another tough match. Rogers looked to be on goal for his hat-trick, only for his shot from outside the box to be blocked by Shaw. Cunha received a pass from Martinez, which he fired at goal, only to be denied by an alert goalkeeper. After four minutes of stoppage time, it remained all square at Villa Park. Despite a difficult loss, United produced as somewhat impressive performance, pushing Villa to the limit despite lacking a lot of firepower. Hopefully, Amorim will be able to guide his team through this difficult period, at least until United are back at full strength. Starting XI: Lammens, Shaw, Heaven, Yoro, Dorgu, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dalot, Mount, Cunha, Sesko Subs: Martinez, Fletcher, Zirkzee, Lacey Featured image Clive Mason via Getty Images