FEBRUARY 1993 was the last time a Premier League weekend went by without any of the Big Four scoring. But after Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal had all failed to hit the target earlier in the day, Man Utd also drew a blank in the late game - with Wayne Rooney missing a sitter.
And to cap a miserable afternoon, Cristiano Ronaldo was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, clutching his knee and making gestures to the home fans as he disappeared down the tunnel. But Sir Alex Ferguson refused to rule out United's chances of making up the eight point gap on the league leaders.
He said: “We are capable of going on runs as everyone knows. If we got to within two points or three points by New Year’s Day it would give us a great chance.”
He also refused to write either Villa or Arsenal off - despite the Gunners FIFTH defeat of the season.
He said: “Arsenal have got too much quality to say that. You can’t rule Aston Villa out of staying in the top four, they’ve got a very organised side and teams will find it difficult coming here.”
The Premier League champions had the better of the first half but struggled to create many clear cut chances. Ronaldo had a fierce strike on 13 minutes which Brad Freidel beat out to his left and the Portugal international hit the wall attempting a trademark free-kick 10 minutes later. Villa were looking to benefit from Arsenal’s ongoing demise and move into the top four by picking up at least a point.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Davies, Laursen, Luke Young, Sidwell (Carew 81), Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor, Ashley Young. Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Knight, Salifou, Shorey, Gardner. Booked: Davies.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo (Anderson 82), Park, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez (Nani 71). Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Welbeck, Evans, Gibson, Rafael Da Silva.
And to cap a miserable afternoon, Cristiano Ronaldo was withdrawn with 10 minutes left, clutching his knee and making gestures to the home fans as he disappeared down the tunnel. But Sir Alex Ferguson refused to rule out United's chances of making up the eight point gap on the league leaders.
He said: “We are capable of going on runs as everyone knows. If we got to within two points or three points by New Year’s Day it would give us a great chance.”
He also refused to write either Villa or Arsenal off - despite the Gunners FIFTH defeat of the season.
He said: “Arsenal have got too much quality to say that. You can’t rule Aston Villa out of staying in the top four, they’ve got a very organised side and teams will find it difficult coming here.”
The Premier League champions had the better of the first half but struggled to create many clear cut chances. Ronaldo had a fierce strike on 13 minutes which Brad Freidel beat out to his left and the Portugal international hit the wall attempting a trademark free-kick 10 minutes later. Villa were looking to benefit from Arsenal’s ongoing demise and move into the top four by picking up at least a point.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Davies, Laursen, Luke Young, Sidwell (Carew 81), Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor, Ashley Young. Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Knight, Salifou, Shorey, Gardner. Booked: Davies.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo (Anderson 82), Park, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez (Nani 71). Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Welbeck, Evans, Gibson, Rafael Da Silva.
