BirminghamLive brings you the talking points from Aston Villa’s defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford

Unai Emery’s team allowed a two-goal lead to evaporate after halftime as Manchester United humiliated Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford.

 

Even if the incredible group of away supporters had witnessed things unravel against the Red Devils previously, it didn’t make the most recent heartbreaking loss any easier to accept. The away team had every right to be full value for the comfortable lead that John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker gave Villa in the first half.

 

Rasmus Hojlund completed the comeback in the 82nd minute, condemning Villa to their first loss since early November. Alejandro Garnacho scored twice in the second half.

Here are the takeaways from Villa’s defeat at Old Trafford…

WHAT UNAI EMERY TOLD THE DRESSING ROOM

Shortly after the second half began, Raphael Varane stopped Ollie Watkins from heading in what would have been Villa’s third goal. Garnacho’s goal, however, was disallowed by VAR for offside, giving United a warning that Villa was still in the game.

 

After that, Villa lost their stride and were eventually punished for their subpar play in the second half.

 

When asked what message he gave the players following full time, Emery replied, “Go on, be demanding.” I told the

players I wanted more from the season, but the first half was great. We must put

forth a lot of effort to obtain what they want more.”

“[I’m] Disappointed after the first half as we were controlling the game for sixty minutes,” he continued. How the

audience shifted after we let up the first goal due to an error in the midfield.

“They were propelled forward by the considerably healthier atmosphere that

surrounded them. In spite of everything, we responded to the objectives. Leon

Bailey and John McGinn both had excellent chances.

 

“The fact that Man Utd was playing at home and with their current roster made it much more crucial. We responded

twice, but ultimately we were unable to maintain our initial positioning or the

outcome we were achieving in the first sixty minutes.”

CLEMENT LENGLET’S FRUSTRATION

Pau Torres returned to the squad after recovering from injury, but was only fit

enough to feature on the bench against Man Utd. Clement Lenglet continued in defence and impressed in the first half.

 

He grabbed the assist for Dendoncker’s goal by heading McGinn’s corner across to the Belgian, while he used the ball well

as Villa played well for the first hour of the game. He, like his teammates,

struggled after United pulled one back through Garnacho.

 

“I’m not sure if we were too comfortable, but I think we started to play more

behind,” the centre-back admitted. “We needed to be more organised and we could have done better.

 

“The manager said after the game that this is a reminder that the level in the

Premier League is really high. You know when you come to a place like Manchester United it will be really tough.

“When you lead 2-0 you should try to defend that and get a win. It’s frustrating. We have been brilliant up until this moment.”

EMERY NOT EXPECTING FESTIVE HANGOVER

Villa had a 14-point lead over United at the interval, but they are still in the top three with a cushion on sixth place. After conceding defeat, it has now been reduced to eight points.

 

Every team has hard patches during a season, but this is the first time that his club hasn’t bounced back from losing a league game by winning the next one. Following their last-week miracle point against Sheffield United, Villa made their way to Old Trafford. Despite the way that United defeated them, Emery doesn’t think that his players will become less confident.

Although we were vying for the top seven last year, we are unhappy to have lost, Emery stated. It will do far more than just the three points we dropped.

 

“I’m thinking about Sunday now and trying to get as ready as I can for the game. We aspire to surpass themselves now by tomorrow.”

 

 

MID-SEASON ANALYSIS

 

Villa is now in third place after 19 games, having faced every Premier League team once so far this season. Emery’s team has traveled to play rivals in the Champions League, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Manchester United. In those three matches, the team has won once.

Wins over Man City and Arsenal at home in the space of three days will live long in the memory, while Villa have also already played at Anfield. The rest of the season provides Villa with a huge opportunity to secure a top five finish come May given they currently have a eight-point cushion on sixth place.

 

“We have to accept it and try to understand overall the first half of the season we are doing.” Emery insisted. “It is being fantastic but it could be better with the results we got in the first half today and the opportunity we lost.

 

“We have to accept the result and still being in the same process. We are not contenders. Today you are not asking me if we are contenders to win the title, but two weeks ago my response is the same as now.

“We want to keep it and we want more. We have done amazing, terrific in the first part of the season. As players, coaches, and a club, we must develop a team and strive to reach new heights in all areas. I will insist on doing it.