Aston Villa

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Gary: When is Michael Carrick going to have the bottle to drop some off these players who are not good enough? It's the same team every week. When will he try something different and give more of the academy players a game?

Tom: I'm really torn after that. The players are clearly still playing for the manager and you can argue that the squad has gaps that are hard to deal with, but the fact that we keep conceding goals like this is concerning and a better manager would have us better organised.

David: I would love to know what the defence do in training because they act like strangers on the field.

Clive: What on earth does Carrick see in Diogo Dalot? He's too slow and makes too many mistakes. Why can't he give Harry Amass a game at left back?

Steve: Almost 60 years as a United supporter and I've never seen such poor defending, even when we got relegated. The defence needs replacing completely or we will go down again. Carrick isn't to blame for the poor quality defenders he has at his disposal.

Aston Villa fans

Prit: Make no mistake, this feels like a defeat. Villa bottled a two goal lead, not once, but twice. They lacked game-management and threw away a win at Old Trafford - again. Let's hope the players feel the pain over the next two weeks and come back stronger. Maybe, if you are two-up with six minutes to go then keep the ball in the corner and play for time. Simples.

David: Still messing about at the back and passing across their goal line. Stopping when going forward and then passing backwards. Goalkeeper passing forward to a man with three opponents round him. Zion Suzuki is a great shot-stopper but useless at corners.

Andrew: Villa have got a better attacking front line compared to last season and can attack with speed because if we had taken our chances we could have scored six. On the negative side, we should have signed John Stones on a free to replace Ezri Konsa.

Keith: To lose a two goal lead twice is careless and not acceptable. The game management was poor and the substitutions didn't work. It was definitely a foul on Suzuki for United's last goal, but yet again United get away with it. Keep the faith.

David: Too often our midfield looks overrun and gives the ball away. Johan Manzambi struggles with the physical side of controlled build-up. Given how weak we are at the back we need to use our pace to get forward more quickly. Attack is the best form of defence!

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery reacts to a dramatic 4-4 draw at Manchester United in the Premier League.

Listen by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here

Chelsea, Inter Milan and Al-Hilal have all put Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara on their watchlist after the 26-year-old France midfielder's return from injury. (Fussball News - in German), external

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Aston Villa starting XI:

Zion Suzuki: Kept busy as the hosts hunted an equaliser. One excellent save from Cunha and a couple when he benefited from a kind rebound, but bad error for United's late equaliser. 5

Victor Lindelof: Found himself under a lot of pressure on a ground he knows so well and turned in an accomplished performance. 7

Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Had to remain concentrated and wasn't faultless but emerged with credit in the bank. 6

Pau Torres: Guided a header over as Villa attacked but biggest task was trying to stop Cunha. As it turned out, a stride too late getting out when Tielemans scored. Couldn't keep United out in the end. 6

Ian Maatsen: Testing day, trying to stop Amad attacking and looking to beat Mazraoui at the other end. Was doing well until the late drama. 7

Alysson (off 71, Barkley): Even the Brazilian must have been a little bit surprised his first-minute shot ended up in the net. His shot created the second and came so close to adding another to his tally after being released by Goretzka. Won the penalty at start of second half too. 8

Boubacar Kamara: Ill-advised attempted tackle on Cunha led to penalty that offered the hosts a way back into the game. Struggled to contain the home attack. 7

John McGinn (off 71, Hemmings): Everything looked so good in the opening minutes but then had to try to ensure Villa didn't fall apart as United fought back. Kept his concentration to score from the spot and created panic with a free-kick. 7

Leon Goretzka (off 78, Mbaye): Tried to relieve pressure on Villa defence as the hosts fought back and drove home Villa's fourth on a crazy day. 7

Johan Manzambi (off 78, Gomes): Not the easiest game for the Swiss international to shine given its general chaotic nature. Tried to get control but no real chance of that. 5

Nicolas Jackson (off 86, Madjo): Alert to snaffle home the rebound after Lammens had spilled McGinn's shot. Not the best performance but much effective than in his Chelsea days. 7

Aston Villa substitutes:

George Hemmings (on 71, McGinn): Came on to shore things up but move didn't work. 5

Ross Barkley (on 71, Alysson): Won't remember ending with fondness. 5

Joao Gomes (on 78, Manzambi): 5.

Ibrahim Mbaye (on 78, Goretzka): 5.

Brian Madjo (on 86, Jackson): 5.

Subs not used: Bizot, Mings, Buendia, Cisse.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to Sky Sports: "A very difficult match. We competed well and we struggled in the first half after our two goals. Second half we had good balance to try to win the match. Scored two more goals and when we were controlling the game in the last six minutes they scored two goals. They can do it - they did it against Roma. My analysis is that overall we have lost a good opportunity to win the match.

"We have young talented players, we need to get this mix. We are being demanding to play at this level. United showed their level. We must continue working, move on and analyse and how we can defend better and in the moment we were dominating get the better attack. We are disappointed, frustrated because in miunute 90 we are winning 2-4. We will accept the result because we have won three and drawn three in last matches and we're doing well. But today we have lost two points.

"We must be positive even in defeat because we have to continue moving on with the process."

On storming off at the end: "They scored in minute 96 and there were six minutes added. I thought the match was finishing.

"Not unfair - they scored the goal and I thought the match was over."

Aston Villa captain John McGinn, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We have to manage these moments better. Not a lot of teams will come here 2-0 and give goals away. We have to defend better in those positions. In the last 10 minutes of each half, we have to manage better.

"We have a lot of inexperienced players but a lot of talent and that's why we score goals. It doesn't matter if United are low in confidence, you're always up against it. The third goal was really poor and gave them a lot of encouragement to score.

"We lost two points. We threw it away. The last five minutes were just madness. It's going to sting.

"The manager is a winner; he'll be hurting the way we are. We go play international football but he'll dwell on it for two weeks."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa scored four goals in a match against Manchester United for the first time since November 1963, a 4-0 win in the top-flight.

• Nicolas Jackson has scored six goals in his last six Premier League appearances for Aston Villa

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Manchester United's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

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• Manchester United v Aston Villa (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

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There were great scenes at Old Trafford on Tuesday with Manchester United coming back from 2-0 down to beat Roma, who had to field their third-choice goalkeeper because of injuries.

That ended up being a really good result, but there are so many things about United that are just not convincing at the moment - as a club they are trying to convey this picture of togetherness and it is just not there for me.

Beating Roma was a great comeback, of course, but you still feel United are not far from another collapse, especially against an Aston Villa team who are so well structured, and capable of punishing any weakness.

Villa boss Unai Emery has been talked about as a potential successor to Michael Carrick at Old Trafford, but he is too good for United as far as I can see.

United will score, but Villa are going to win this. Nicolas Jackson will bag a couple and we might see more tears from Bruno Fernandes at the final whistle.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United will attempt to win for only the second time in the Premier League season against an Aston Villa side who lost in the Champions League on Tuesday.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Manchester United's comeback win against Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday provided some welcome respite for beleaguered manager Michael Carrick, along with some welcome fight from his players.

United responded to going two goals down in the opening 18 minutes by producing arguably their finest 45 minutes of the campaign so far in the second half, with forward Matheus Cunha capping off a 3-2 victory.

For the first time this season, they prevented their opponent from having a shot in the second half and won more duels (41) than in any other game after half-time.

The challenge for Carrick and his players alike will be to repeat that performance across 90 minutes five days later in the Premier League.

United are one of only two sides without a Premier League clean sheet this season, along with Ipswich Town, while nine matches is the longest period they have gone from the start of a top-flight campaign without recording a shutout since 1987.

The last side to finish in the top three of the top flight then fail to keep a clean sheet in their first 10 games of the following season was Liverpool 50 years ago.

Carrick's side have not won in the Premier League since beating Ipswich on 30 August – this match takes place 70 days, or 1,680 hours, after that solitary victory.

United, though, do have a good record against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. They have lost just two of the past 31 home meetings in the Premier League, most recently in 2021-22. Villa have a quick turnaround of their own following their 3-0 defeat at Barcelona on Tuesday, which was their joint-heaviest loss in major European competition.

The Champions League setback highlighted an Achilles heel of Unai Emery's side this season: they have made the most errors leading to goals in all competitions of any Premier League team, along with Sunderland.

Since beating Manchester City in October, Villa have been knocked out of the League Cup at Bournemouth, drawn with Fulham and lost at the Nou Camp, so a rare away win in this fixture would be timely.

Villa won their first Premier League match against United under Emery in November 2022, but that came at home. Emery has never won in nine career attempts at Old Trafford, losing on all five visits with Villa.

Now would be the perfect time to arrest that record as he approaches a 200th Premier League game as a manager.

The 55-year-old will become the fifth Spaniard to reach the milestone after Rafael Benitez, Roberto Martinez, Pep Guardiola, and Mikel Arteta.

Benitez and Arteta's 200th matches also came against United, and both avoided defeats.

Aston Villa fan Amy Rose Finley has shared her views on why supporters should be optimistic as the Villans look to bounce back from the midweek loss to Barcelona against Manchester United this weekend.

"I was quite excited about going to Old Trafford this Sunday. It almost felt like a guaranteed three points. I mean that with respect," Finley said.

"Now it feels like they have had this miraculous comeback [against Roma] and they're going to go into this game against Villa with a load of momentum. Villa are coming off the back of a good beating.

"There will be a contrast in momentum, so that is kind of frightening to me. Looking ahead, I do believe our team and strategy are better than Manchester United's.

"We certainly have a far superior manager, so I think we will win this game, but it will be a lot harder than I initially thought.

"I would be happy with a point, but we need a win."

Listen to more from Finley above or on BBC Sounds here

Huzaifah Khan
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the latest team news, Emery said Aaron Wan-Bissaka is "close" but they will have to review his fitness in training on Saturday.

• He added that Matteo Ruggeri is working alone but progressing well and all players other than Amadou Onana and the suspended Matty Cash are available.

• Reflecting on mistakes made in the defeat by Barcelona in midweek, he said: "We are making a lot of mistakes, not only in build-up. We have one opportunity, one chance to score and we are not scoring, it is the same mistake for me. And how we are trying to build our structure, the first objective is to feel comfortable doing everything in the pitch, so some mistakes are part of our process, our football, our idea."

• On his ambitions for the future at the club: "My ambition is to keep the consistency and how we are improving, how we are building a lot of things positively. We are strong, being strong, keeping consistency in our process, so it's a huge challenge but the club is involved in it."

• He added that he had a "very good" and "very positive" meeting with Chairman Nassef Sawiris and he hopes they will be able to discuss a new deal next week.

• On how difficult Villa find it to travel to Old Trafford, Emery explained: "It's Manchester United and we have very clear examples. We didn't win one match there in the four years I am here. Travelling to Manchester to play against them, we have lost even in the first match we played in the Carabao Cup, we lost 3-2 four years ago, so it means for us it's very difficult."

• He also praised their opponents this weekend, stating: "Manchester United is a fantastic club. They are performing very good. Last year achieving to play Champions League. This year in the Champions League playing well. In the league they started a little bit not consistent but should recover in their consistency in the Premier League, hopefully not on Sunday against us. It's a very, very difficult match."

Hit play above to hear more from Emery or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full match commentary of Manchester United v Aston Villa on BBC Radio 5 Live

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BBC Radio WM's Richard Wilford says "Aston Villa and Unai Emery are interwoven", after learning that the club and the manager held talks around their "long-term strategic direction" earlier this week.

The club revealed they had discussed "clear commitment beyond 2029", which is when the Spaniard's current contract is set to expire.

"That wasn't a 'hands-off' statement, that was more of a 'are you being serious' statement," Wilford said on BBC Radio WM's Football Phone-In. "There is no way Unai Emery would be looking at going to a club like Manchester United - everybody knows that.

"The way this club is being run nowadays is unique. It is built on stability, trust and ambition. That is the package.

"Then you have Unai Emery as the frontman. He is a guy that can inspire players, get the best out of them and improve them to the tune of £100m in Morgan Rogers' case.

"It is an extraordinary adventure - and as long as Unai Emery has the hunger, Aston Villa have their figurehead."

Listen to the full conversation by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa were wrongly denied a penalty against Manchester City, according to the the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel.

Johan Manzambi broke into the penalty area in the 30th minute, and went to ground under a challenge from Elliot Anderson.

Referee Peter Bankes waved away the penalty appeals, and the situation was checked and cleared by the video assistant referee (VAR), Paul Tierney.

The KMI Panel voted 3:2 that the spot-kick should have been awarded on the field, but it felt the VAR was correct not to intervene by another 3:2 split vote.

Three members of the KMI Panel felt that "Anderson makes no attempt to win the ball and makes his body bigger by moving across to block Manzambi".

However, the majority view was that "the subjectivity of the decision meant it should remain referee's call".

Villa won the game at Villa Park 2-1.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Unai Emery "wouldn't want" to leave Aston Villa for Manchester United at the moment.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "Why would Unai Emery want to? He is a brilliant manager and coach, all about detail.

"Why would he want to touch them at this moment in time?

"It's not to say he couldn't achieve something there, of course he could.

"They've been through so many managers and coaches. When he see's that, I don't necessarily want to call it a failure, but, failure from high-profile guys in the game, with what he's achieved at Villa, why would he want to go there?"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

Aston Villa are in advanced talks with manager Unai Emery over a new contract, following recent links with Manchester United. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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