Manchester United vs. Aston Villa: 6 Things We Learned

Scott Rom@@R_o_MX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistMarch 29, 2014

Manchester United vs. Aston Villa: 6 Things We Learned

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    On the back of two painful home defeats against Manchester City and Liverpool, David Moyes was in desperate need of a result against Aston Villa.

    Villa are one of the few teams to have worse home form than United this season but have been considerably better on the road.

    However, the 4-1 scoreline was a fair one this afternoon, with Villa offering very little, despite taking an early lead.

    So, what did we learn from the game?

Wayne Rooney Still United's Most Important Player

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    Wayne Rooney has 15 goals and 10 assists in 25 starts in the league this season, which is a fairly remarkable return. It does make you wonder whether United's position in the table would be better if he hadn't missed so many games due to injury.

    After United had gone a goal down, he drew them level five minutes later thanks to an inch perfect cross in to the box from Shinji Kagawa.

    Just before half-time, Rooney put United ahead from the penalty spot, which is a duty he surrendered to Robin van Persie last season. 

    Rooney's ability to score and assist goals so regularly sets him apart from most of United's other players this season. In Van Persie's absence, he will be relied upon all the more heavily for more of the same.

Juan Mata's United Career Starts Now

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    Juan Mata should have scored his first United goal in the first half but was chopped down by Leandro Bacuna, who was lucky not to be shown a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. The penalty was some consolation to the fans but will have added to the frustration for Mata.

    He still managed to put United 3-1 up in the second half though after being played in by Marouane Fellaini. The goalkeeper had no chance and Mata was clearly delighted when he celebrated in front of the fans.

    United fans will be hoping that this first goal will kickstart his career at Old Trafford.

United Fans Don't Back the Plane Banner

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    All the talk leading up to this game was about the plane that a group of United supporters had paid for to fly the banner 'Wrong One - Moyes Out.' 

    Moyes took the brave decision of entering the Old Trafford pitch earlier than usual, separate to the players, and was greeted warmly by the Stretford End. 

    When the plane appeared there were boos in the stadium, and during the game there were several chants of support for Moyes.

    Whilst there are lots of United fans who don't believe that Moyes is the man for the job, the supporters in the ground were keen to show their disapproval of the plane.

Villa's Struggles Against United Continue

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    Eleven teams had a better home record than Manchester United at the start of today and Aston Villa's early goal suggested that things were about to get worse for the current champions.

    However, it was business as usual for United, wrapping up another victory over Villa. The last time the Midlands club beat United was in 2009. United have won eight of the 10 games that have followed.

Januzaj Needs to Play More

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    Adnan Januzaj has barely played this month, featuring for just 75 minutes against Liverpool and West Brom.

    Against Aston Villa this afternoon he made an immediate impact after being subbed on for Kagawa with 20 minutes left to play. He attempted and completed more take ons than any player on the pitch, according to FourFourTwo Statzone. Only Mata was fouled on more occasions than him too, suggesting that the Villa defence couldn't cope with him.

    Right at the end of the game, Januzaj delivered an inch perfect cross which would have been harder for Javier Herandenz to miss than score, to put United 4-1 up.

Chicharito Looks Ready to Leave

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    Hernandez was given just 15 minutes against Villa but still managed to score a goal. He didn't look too impressed though. The Mexican, without his usual cheeky grin, just stood in front of the Stretford End after scoring.

    When the final whistle blew, whilst his teammates hugged each other and shook hands with the opposition, Hernandez headed straight for the tunnel.

    Even with Van Persie injured, Hernandez can't get a starting place in the team, and he clearly is not very happy about it.

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