Radamel Falcao’s brilliant header in the second half saved grace for a mediocre Manchester United, as the Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw against a 10-man Aston Villa on Saturday. Louis van Gaal’s side were on the back of six straight victories before their trip to Birmingham, and with an excellent record of being unbeaten in their last 18 visits to the Villa Park, it was expected that the side would take home all three points from the league fixture.
But despite dominating possession and being in control in the early stages of the encounter, an outstanding left foot strike in the 18th minute from Belgian international Christian Benteke saw the hosts take a one-goal lead at the end of the first half.
The second half started on a better note for United, who looked menacing in the opening minutes in search for the equaliser. Juan Mata and Robin van Persie couldn’t get past goal keeper Brad Guzan, but a superb header from Falcao, who made his fourth league start of the season, saw the visitors level the game in the 53rd minute, as the Colombian international scored his second goal for the English club.
But the Claret and Blues suffered a major setback after Gabriel Agbonlahor was shown a red card in the 65th minute for a crushing tackle on Ashley Young. The Dutchman had already introduced Angel Di Maria, who came on the field after being side-lined for the last three games due to an injury, in the quest for the winner, but the move did not pay off, as Paul Lambert’s resilient side held on for a point.
Manchester United would be ruing their soft display in the first half that made them lose two points, as they now sit third in the league standings, seven points behind leaders Chelsea, who look in a good position to add another three points to their tally when they face Stoke City on Monday.
“When you are the better team you have to win. We have had a lack of aggression in the first half. We didn’t create many chances”, Van Gaal was quoted as saying after the match by the club’s official website. “Then we changed that attitude in the second half. We did everything to win but it is very difficult. I have to say that Aston Villa did very well also.”
“It’s always important not to lose but I am frustrated because we gave two points away and that is my feeling of this match”, he added.
