Starting with saving Manchester United

There is one signal that can very clearly indicate Aston Villa's strategy for this match.

At kickoff, Aston Villa pushed a total of five players to the halfway line.

From Bertrand and Agbonlahor on the left wing, to Benteke and Wyman kicking off from the center circle, and then to Albrighton on the other side, they all pushed up to the center line.

Paul Lambert wants to dominate Manchester United from the very beginning!

As soon as the whistle blew, Benteke, who was in the center circle, kicked off but did not pass the ball back. Instead, he directly moved the ball to the left wing.

Almost simultaneously, Valencia and others pressed, blocking the ball near the midfield line and forcing Aston Villa to pass it back to their own half.

Welbeck and Rooney both surged forward in the middle, pressing Aston Villa's defense and forcing them to launch a long pass to Benteke.

But the ball was headed down by Vidic after crossing Manchester United's half.

Manchester United patiently held onto the ball in their own half.

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted throughout Old Trafford.

Manchester United fans are cheering on the players on the field.

……

Aston Villa's start did not produce the results they wanted.

However, Manchester United also failed to establish an early advantage.

The match was intense and fast-paced, with players exchanging blows back and forth.

Manchester United still fielded a three-man defense, but there were actually quite a few changes in the attacking third.

Rooney has mostly reached a position similar to Welbeck's.

In other words, Manchester United are actually playing a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Mata playing as the lone attacking midfielder.

Rooney's position is not fixed, and his range of movement is very large.

On the contrary, Welbeck was always the one holding up against the opponent's defense.

The two wing-backs also need to be more aggressive and move further forward than usual.

In the 8th minute, Valencia made a forward run down the right flank, received the ball, and passed it to Rooney in the half-space, creating a free kick opportunity in the attacking third.

This also earned former Chelsea player Bertrand the first yellow card of the match.

But Aston Villa quickly retaliated.

Several attacks on Michael Keane's side failed to achieve the desired effect.

In the 12th minute, Aston Villa suddenly changed their attacking direction in midfield. Agbonlahor received the ball on the left flank and burst forward, using his speed to try to break into the Manchester United penalty area.

Fortunately, Smalling used his body to block Agbonlahor at the crucial moment, ultimately deflecting the ball out of bounds.

The subsequent corner kick also failed to pose a threat.

……

"His current two-striker formation is similar to the one used in the game in December."

On the away team's bench, Aston Villa's assistant coach Ian Culverhouse frowned as he spoke.

Paul Lambert nodded slightly.

助手说的那场是12月15日的英超第16轮，阿斯顿维拉主场0比3输给曼联。

Moyes used a 4-4-2 formation with two strikers in that match, with Welbeck and Rooney on the front line and Cleverley and Giggs in the central midfield.

Welbeck scored twice and performed exceptionally well.

"He must have watched that game too, but three of our four key defenders were absent in that match. Now it's different; we have a much fuller squad."

As he spoke, Paul Lambert expressed even greater confidence in his team.

Especially Vlaar.

The absence of this Dutch center-back in the December match had a significant impact on the defense.

Thinking of this, Paul Lambert quickly walked to the sidelines and called out to Vlaar.

With Valencia and Ashley Young playing as wing-backs, positioned further back, Welbeck is Manchester United's fastest forward, making him very impactful.

"Watch out for number 19, strangle him!" Paul Lambert gestured as if he were strangling someone with both hands.

Vlaar raised his hand and nodded to indicate that he had received it.

Just three minutes after Paul Lambert's reminder, Manchester United launched a quick attack.

After the goal kick was launched directly into the attacking third, Rooney, though failing to win the first header, won the second header and passed it back to Fletcher.

He received the ball again and passed it back to Mata.

Mata dribbled down the right flank, drawing Bertrand's attention, and Valencia quickly overlapped on the wing before crossing the ball.

Players who watched the match in Round 16 will surely remember that both of Welbeck's goals came from crosses from the right wing, and occurred in the 15th and 18th minutes.

But this time, after receiving a warning from Paul Lambert, Vlaar preemptively blocked Welbeck's position, preventing him from charging forward.

Goalkeeper Guzan rushed out of his goal and caught the ball firmly in his arms.

"Well done, Guzan!"

"That was a great defensive play, keep it up!"

Paul Lambert cheered loudly for the players from the sidelines.

Aston Villa launched a goal kick, sending it into Manchester United's half.

After Vidic won the ball, Manchester United launched another attack down the right flank, with Valencia once again dribbling the ball deep into the box.

But Vlaar blocked him from reaching the ball.

This secretly relieved Paul Lambert.

"This kid really came prepared, trying to copy what he's made."

This is no coincidence!

Both counter-attacks were launched down the right flank, with Welbeck being sent to attack.

What a coincidence!

"Don't worry, Vlaar is still very steady," Ian Culverhouse said with a smile.

Paul Lambert nodded.

Aston Villa have a chance to win this match!

After thwarting Manchester United's attacks twice, Aston Villa began to exert their strength again.

……

Michael Keane took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

At the same time, he was constantly observing the surrounding situation, especially the positions of the players on both sides.

When his gaze swept across the home team's bench and he saw the young, rookie head coach who had been constantly criticized by the fans, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude.

Both Ferguson and Moyes acknowledged his ability and talent, but neither gave him a chance to play in the Premier League.

Yang Fan gave it to him!

"This isn't an exam, Michael!"

"I believe you are fully prepared, both physically and mentally."

"Your most important task in this game is to learn and gain experience, from your teammates and your opponents, to learn how to play in the Premier League."

"I don't need you to play like anyone else, nor do I need you to become the second anyone else, and I don't even need you to deliberately play the role of a fierce defender."

"Use what you do best, use your wisdom, and unleash your full potential."

"It's that simple!"

This is what Yang Fan said to him this morning at the Laurie Hotel.

Michael Keane took another deep breath as he thought about this.

When he saw Aston Villa pass the ball back to defender Vlaar, he immediately glanced left and right, his gaze locking onto Benteke.

The Belgian center forward is making a quick diagonal run into his own defensive zone.

He had a strong feeling that Vlaar was going to make a long pass to Benteke.

Is this because they think I'm young and it's only my second time playing in the Premier League, so they can bully me?

"I'll go with him!" Michael Keane shouted to Vidic beside him and immediately chased after him.

Benteke got to the best position on the left side of the penalty area.

Moreover, he didn't intend to head the ball; instead, he planned to control it with his chest.

Michael Keane made a quick decision, not immediately sticking up, but taking a slight step back.

As the ball came down, just as Benteke straightened up to catch it, his left shoulder quickly pressed against Benteke's right shoulder, giving it a powerful push.

Benteke's attempt to control the ball with his chest went awry during the confrontation, causing him to lose his balance.

Just as Benteke stumbled and regained his balance, Michael Keane preemptively kicked the ball to Cleverley in front of him.

A thunderous cheer erupted from Old Trafford.

"Beautiful defense!"

"A very decisive solution!"

"Michael Keane, a Manchester United academy graduate, makes a tackle just outside the penalty area."

Cleverley passed the ball to Juan Mata in front.

Manchester United quickly launched a counter-attack.

After drawing the defenders' attention, Mata dribbled the ball and then passed it diagonally to the left flank of Aston Villa's 30-meter zone.

Ashley Young stepped forward to receive the ball and first made a move to combine with Welbeck on the left flank, drawing the attention of the defense, especially Vlaar and others, who all moved towards the left side of the penalty area.

Ashley Young slowed down the pace slightly.

Outside the left corner of Aston Villa's penalty area, facing right-back Bacuna's defense, he feinted, then used the outside of his right foot to dribble in and cut inside, delivering a diagonal pass.

Welbeck, positioned at the left corner of the six-yard box, drew the attention of two center-backs, causing them to overlook Rooney, who was positioned directly in front of the six-yard box.

When Ashley Young's pass came over his head, Rooney leaped high and headed the ball into the right side of Aston Villa's goal.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

"Goal!!"

"In the 18th minute, Manchester United have taken the lead against Aston Villa!"

"Ashley Young assists Rooney's header to score!"

"Two consecutive crosses from the right wing found Welbeck, causing Aston Villa's defenders to overlook Rooney."

"During their rapid retreat, not a single person followed Rooney in time!"

The entire Old Trafford stadium erupted in a frenzy of cheers.

Manchester United fans, especially those behind the goal, rushed out of their seats in a frenzy.

Rooney rushed to the sidelines and ran towards Ashley Young to celebrate his goal.

……

Rooney's goal ignited the passion at Old Trafford.

This also completely ignited the confidence and fighting spirit of the Manchester United players.

Just four minutes later, in the 22nd minute, Michael Keane pressed forward again, successfully intercepting the pass to Benteke from the left side of the penalty area.

After intercepting the ball, Michael Keane took two steps forward and then suddenly sent a long pass to the left side of the attacking third behind the defense.

Welbeck quickly moved forward to catch up.

Vlaar got there first, facing the baseline, and cleared the ball with a volley.

But the ball didn't fly far.

Welbeck turned and went back to steal the ball.

Mata and Rooney also rushed up to press the ball at the same time.

Finally, Welbeck successfully intercepted Bacuna's ball near the sideline and passed it to Mata.

The Spaniard dribbled the ball from the left flank and charged towards the left side of the penalty arc.

Despite being surrounded by three defenders, he managed to make a left-footed cross, sending the ball to the right side of the penalty arc.

Rooney, who had been following Mata closely, quickly caught up and, without stopping the ball or hesitating, unleashed a powerful shot.

The football was like a cannonball, hurtling into the right side of Aston Villa's goal at incredible speed.

"Rooney!"

"It's Rooney again!"

"Manchester United scored two goals in less than five minutes!"

Rooney scored twice!

This brilliant goal had the entire stadium chanting Rooney's name at the top of their lungs.

Especially when the live broadcast camera panned over, even Ferguson couldn't help but applaud and cheer for Rooney.

On the home team's sidelines, Yang Fan jumped up excitedly, clenching his right fist in celebration.

2 is better than 0!

But this is not enough.

When the players had finished celebrating on the sidelines, Yang Fan quickly walked over and signaled them to continue the attack, apply constant pressure, and try to secure the victory in the first half.

"Keep this momentum going, keep charging forward!"

"You can do it! Keep it up! Keep it up!!"

Yang Fan's shouts could be heard clearly during the live television broadcast.

Immediately afterwards, Yang Fan turned around and applauded and cheered for Michael Keane in the backcourt.

"Well done, Michael, keep it up!"

To everyone's surprise, in the 36th minute, Manchester United's Valencia made a quick run down the right flank and won a free kick just outside the penalty area on the right side.

Rooney came over to take the penalty.

The Englishman raised his right hand high and delivered a precise pass to the center of the six-yard box.

Vidic suddenly burst out from the chaotic crowd, getting ahead of everyone else, and headed the ball into Aston Villa's goal once again.

3 is better than 0!

Paul Lambert, standing in front of the visiting team's coaching bench, was stunned!