Ashley Young had been Villa's worst player through 70 minutes. He generosity with the ball helped Manchester United maintain possession in the first half, and although Villa has dominated most of the second, their best player had been a non-factor. Then, two moments of greatness from the young attacker has turned around his, and Aston Villa's, match.
Aston Villa Vs. Manchester United: Ashley Young Gives Villa 72nd Minute Lead
In the 71st minute at Villa Park, Aston Villa has taken a 1-0 lead on Manchester United, with Ashley Young finishing from the spot, justly getting credit for the goal which he created.
The "movement" started with Villa in transition, Young dropping into the Lion's half to one-time a ball up-field between Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra. Gabriel Agbonlahor was in the channel and was able to hold-off Vidic long enough to put a ball into the middle of the box. That's what Ashley Young, working to get up the pitch, beat Wes Brown to the ball, forcing the United right back to bring him down.
Young put the ensuring penalty kick into the left of Van der Sar’s net, giving Villa the lead.
There was some controversy as to whether Brown should be sent-off for denying a scoring chance, though it looked like Mike Dean wisely erred on the side of caution. Rio Ferdinand may have been in position to make a play on the ball, and Brown's challenge was as much clumsy as it was professional.
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