English Premier League: United beat stuttering Villa 4-1

Manager Moyes given something to cheer about.

MANCHESTER:

Wayne Rooney scored twice and Juan Mata claimed his first Manchester United goal to cheer under-fire manager David Moyes with a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.

A 13th minute Ashley Westwood free-kick shot Villa into an early lead, putting United at risk of succumbing to three consecutive home league defeats for the first time in 35 years.

But after some nervous moments, goals from Rooney, Mata and Javier Hernandez ensured that United go into Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich with some degree of confidence. United were looking for a response to their 3-0 loss at home to Manchester City in the derby on Tuesday, but after Rafael da Silva tripped Gabriel Agbonlahor, Westwood swept home a magnificent free-kick to put Villa ahead.

It was a disastrous opening for Moyes, who, despite pre-match speculation surrounding his position, had been warmly welcomed by United's fans.

But thankfully for the manager, Rooney equalised in the 20th minute to give United hope of securing all three points. The goal notably lifted the manager, the players and the crowd as Rooney soon scored another, this time from the penalty spot.

However, Aston Villa did not hold back, like most teams visiting the Old Trafford, but they were unsuccessful in converting any of their chances.

The failure to convert proved costly as Mata scored United's third after 57 minutes, following a strong header into the area by Alexander Buttner.

Another goal from Hernandez sealed the match, with a final score of 4-1, helping United to a much needed victory in what has so far been a disastrous season for the reigning champions.

The players are relaxed and focused: Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers insists there is no pressure on his Liverpool team as they look to continue their push for the Premier League title against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool have been the dark horses in the title race but have given themselves a real chance of securing their first top-flight championship for 24 years, thanks to a run of seven straight league wins.

The run has left them in second place, just a point behind leaders Chelsea ahead of Saturday's fixtures, with home games to come against Chelsea and fellow challengers Manchester City before the end of the season.

But Rodgers suggests Tottenham, who are struggling to secure a top-four finish and hence a Champions League place, are perhaps the ones with more to lose.

"The players are relaxed and focused," said the Liverpool manager. "There is no expectation on us being where we are and there certainly is no pressure. "I suppose the likes of Tottenham would maybe have been a team that was looking challenge to for the league this season. When you spend around £100 million on players, it's a group that was to set up to challenge.

Rodgers maintains that Liverpool’s aim is to finish as high as possible in the table. However, having beaten Tottenham 5-0 at White Hart Lane in December, he will clearly be looking for another positive result.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2014.

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