Several weeks ago, when Manchester United claimed a 2-1 win against Aston Villa, the fans were fearing the worst.
Two games against Erik ten Hag’s men and two defeats, when in truth, it should have been six points to Aston Villa.
But Unai Emery watched his team blow a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford and then fail to convert chance after chance at Villa Park.
Many thought the fight for fourth spot was now a three-way race between Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United, but not anymore.
Paul Scholes sent his former side a reality check following their defeat in the Manchester derby on Sunday and how it’s going to be ‘very difficult’ to catch those from the Midlands, as he told Premier League Productions (03/03/24 at 6:00 pm).
The legendary midfielder rued his side’s defeat to Fulham last week and how ‘the best they can hope for’ is finishing fifth.
Aston Villa are 11 points clear and will need to collapse at the highest level to finish below those from Old Trafford now, as well as Manchester United needing to win most of their matches.
The top-four race
“Yes, I think so,” agreed Scholes about Manchester United needing a miracle for fourth. “They have got to get past Tottenham and Aston Villa.
“Look, Villa are still looking good. They haven’t got the experience, I don’t think going into a run-in where the pressure is really on them to try and really finish fourth.
“But what are Man United now? 11 points? I think it’s very difficult. When I was here a couple of weeks ago, I thought they had a chance when they beat Aston Villa, but then they go and lose to Fulham. You can’t lose at home to Fulham if you have any ambition of getting that fourth spot or fifth spot, which might be possible.
“Fifth spot is the best they can hope for. What are they six points behind Tottenham, who look alright as well Tottenham? They can’t afford to worry about anybody else, they are playing that poorly themselves. You just have to worry about yourself and try to win the games in front of them.”
Aston Villa’s defence
That 2-0 lead we blew at Man United, 3-0 up against Nottingham Forest and then conceding two goals, then letting Luton back into the game on Saturday.
All of this is concerning, from a defensive aspect, as well as the fact that we can’t stop conceding from set-plays.
If this continues, then it will become costly and the team has to get this part of their game right because this could prove to be the difference in us finishing fourth, not our attack.
The return of Ezri Konsa helps, hopefully, Pau Torres will start again soon and the duo are back together again.
