FA CUP THIRD ROUND PREVIEW: ASTON VILLA V MANCHESTER UNITED
The Third Round of the FA Cup always throws up a few surprises, however Manchester United’s tie against fellow Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa is, by pure coincidence, the fourth time in only seven years that the sides have met at this stage.
Last season saw the now-retired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit an injury-time winner at Old Trafford in a 2-1 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. Wunderkind Wayne Rooney is hopeful that he can reproduce his goalscoring feats against Martin O’Neill’s side - as witnessed in the league fixture in October.
The England international scored a brace in United’s 4-1 win at Villa Park, in what he describes as one of his best games for the Reds to date. And he is hoping to replicate that at the same ground on Saturday.
The United No10 has netted 10 times this season, but reckons he will make it more against Villa. He said: "My goal against Arsenal was probably my favourite so far, but other than that I'd say it was my second goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
"It was a good move, a nice ball from (Carlos) Tevez and I managed to slot it home."
Tevez is a doubt for Ferguson, as he sustained an ankle injury in the 1-0 win over Birmingham. O’Neill has a full squad to select from, aside from forward John Carew.
If history is anything to go by, things don’t look to good for the former Celtic manager: United have won at Villa Park in their last three FA Cup visits. And it is a ground that Rooney loves.
The 22-year-old forward scored five times in the FA Cup last year, including two in the semi-final victory over Watford at - you guessed it - Villa Park. Rooney’s new role - in a more advanced position - has been a boon to United’s attacking play; and the former Everton man is relishing his role.
He added: “I’ve played further up front rather than in behind a main striker.
“I’ve enjoyed that role more as I seem to get more chances. Hopefully that means I’ll end up with more goals.”
The Third Round of the FA Cup always throws up a few surprises, however Manchester United’s tie against fellow Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa is, by pure coincidence, the fourth time in only seven years that the sides have met at this stage.
Last season saw the now-retired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit an injury-time winner at Old Trafford in a 2-1 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. Wunderkind Wayne Rooney is hopeful that he can reproduce his goalscoring feats against Martin O’Neill’s side - as witnessed in the league fixture in October.
The England international scored a brace in United’s 4-1 win at Villa Park, in what he describes as one of his best games for the Reds to date. And he is hoping to replicate that at the same ground on Saturday.
The United No10 has netted 10 times this season, but reckons he will make it more against Villa. He said: "My goal against Arsenal was probably my favourite so far, but other than that I'd say it was my second goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
"It was a good move, a nice ball from (Carlos) Tevez and I managed to slot it home."
Tevez is a doubt for Ferguson, as he sustained an ankle injury in the 1-0 win over Birmingham. O’Neill has a full squad to select from, aside from forward John Carew.
If history is anything to go by, things don’t look to good for the former Celtic manager: United have won at Villa Park in their last three FA Cup visits. And it is a ground that Rooney loves.
The 22-year-old forward scored five times in the FA Cup last year, including two in the semi-final victory over Watford at - you guessed it - Villa Park. Rooney’s new role - in a more advanced position - has been a boon to United’s attacking play; and the former Everton man is relishing his role.
He added: “I’ve played further up front rather than in behind a main striker.
“I’ve enjoyed that role more as I seem to get more chances. Hopefully that means I’ll end up with more goals.”
Labels: Aston Villa, FA Cup, Manchester United, Martin O'Neilll, Sir Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney
