Giggs Fires United Into Third

By David Hobbs & Chris O'Brien
December 28 2004

Ryan Giggs put in an awesome display, almost single handedly beating Aston Villa as United's superb domestic run continues with a 1-0 win in the Midlands. The Welshman netted the only goal of the game in the first-half to extend the run to 9-games unbeaten in the league.

Giggs Fires United Into Third

Aston Villa 0 

Manchester United 1
Giggs 41

Ryan Giggs put in an awesome display, almost single handedly beating Aston Villa as United's superb domestic run continues with a 1-0 win in the Midlands. The Welshman netted the only goal of the game in the first-half and put in the kind of performance that reminded supporters of a young teenager bursting onto the Premiership scene over a decade ago.

Despite the narrow scoreline, the Red Devils were excellent value for their victory as a packed away end sang with festive cheer as United closed the gap on runaway leaders Chelsea. Giggs' 41st minute strike was enough to beat an Aston Villa side suffering heavily from injuries and maintained an unbeaten run in England since late October. The win lifts United into 3rd place, leap-frogging Everton on goal difference.

Gary Neville and Eric Djemba-Djemba were both ruled out prior to the fixture due to a flu virus whilst Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo were dropped to the bench. Paul Scholes and Phil Neville stepped up from the bench following their rest on Boxing Day as United beat neighbours Bolton Wanderers 2-0.

Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was called into early action by Wayne Rooney, who forced a decent save from the Danish shot-stopper with just a few seconds on the clock.

United's Roy Carroll had to be as alert as his counterpart in the opening stages as well and took no-chances when Lee Hendrie's effort came fizzing his way. The Ulsterman did well to tip the goal-bound shot over the crossbar.

Giggs, who has recently praised his manager's decision to rest and revitalize him, came close to breaking the deadlock but the thunderbolt attempt brushed Ulises de la Cruz to fly over.

However, the winger went one better than his previous attempts and finally broke the deadlock just before the half time interval. John O'Shea plucked out a pass that reached an awaiting Giggs, who made no mistake in firing home.

The second half triggered various changes from each side with Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luke Moore and Peter Wittingham all being introduced shortly after the break.

Substitute Ronaldo came close with a long-range drive, so too did Alan Smith but with a short, sharper effort. The England international could have comfortably sealed all the points soon after with a snap shot rattling the bar.

Gareth Barry had the chance to be David O'Leary's Christmas saviour but was denied by Roy Carroll late late on. The Villians are now 7 Premiership games without a win and have dropped to 11th in the table. 

Final Score: Aston Villa 0 - 1 Manchester United
Att: 42,593

Aston Villa: Sorensen, De la Cruz, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Barry, Solano, Hendrie (Whittingham 67), Berson (Stefan Moore 87), Davis, Angel, Cole (Luke Moore 54). Subs Not Used: Drobny, Postma. 

Manchester United: Carroll, O'Shea (Keane 60), Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Fletcher, Phil Neville, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney (Ronaldo 61), Smith. Subs Not Used: Bellion, Miller, Howard.

Refereed By: G Poll