From: trygve@hsr.no (Trygve Svendsen)
Subject: United-Villa comparison
Organization: Rogaland University Centre
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 11:14:11 GMT

Keywords: 



Well, after reading a lot of articles about United and Villa lately 
I have decided to make a evaluation of the two teams.
I think it is fair to say that one of these two will win the Premier League.
As far as I am concerned, only two other clubs have a remote chance of winning
it, Blackburn and Arsenal.(In that order).

Villa and United both play the 4-4-2 so it is easy to make a straight-forward
comparison between them. Well, here it goes:

Goalkeeper: 
           United: Peter Schmeichel.
           Villa : Nigel Spink.

Comment: You have to fancy The Great Dane here. Spink is a solid keeper,making
         very few mistakes, but Schmeichel is simply in a class of his own.
         A clear United-advantage here.

Defence:
        United:Parker,Bruce,Pallister,Irwin.
        Villa :Barrett,Teale,McGrath,Staunton.

Comment: A very close one here. Parker is back to his best and must be a 
         contender for the right-back spot for England, while Barrett is 
         a very under-rated player (along with Shaun Teale).
         United have perhaps the best centre-back combination in Bruce-
         Pallister but Villa have the best one: Paul McGrath.
         At left-back, Staunton is (along with Pearce) the best in the league.
         Dennis Irwin is only average.
         Overall: Dead even.

Midfield:
         United: Giggs, Ince, McClair, Sharpe. 
         Villa : Houghton, Richardson, Parker, a few incl. Froggatt, Small etc.  
          
Comment: Villa lack the pace of Giggs, Sharpe and Ince in their midfield, but
         they do have experienced players who knows what it is like winning a
         championship (Houghton, Richardson). On the flanks there is of course
         no better team than United. Ince is the corner-stone for United. His 
         influence cannot be overestimated. Villa desperately miss Tony Daley
         on the left. This is their perhaps biggest problem.
         But Villa have the edge when it comes to shooting-ability. Parker is
         a tremendous striker of the ball, and a nucleous in their midfield.
         Both midfields can make exceptional runs into the area.
         Overall: United have pace and skill, but Villa have experience:
                  Even.

Attack:
        United: Cantona, Hughes.
        Villa : Saunders, Atkinson.

Comment: Saunders and Atkinson is a deadly partnership, simply the best in English
         football. Deano's running can create havoc in any defence, Atkinson is
         a strong lad. Both have the nose for goal.
         As for United, Hughes is not a great goalscorer, he is a scorer of 
         great goals. Cantona is over-rated, but still an exceptional player.
         Overall: Clear edge to Villa.


And the winner is : ??

Personally I feel United are capable of winning, but I do not think they will.
Although they have been free-scoring lately remember their slump earlier this
season. This is likely to happen again sometime.
As for Villa, they simply can't stop scoring with Deano and Atkinson in their
side.
Villa also have more experience, they have people who have been there before
(Richardson,Houghton,Spink,Staunton) and United have only got Cantona.
This is why I think ASTON VILLA will be crowned champions coming May.

Serious comments appreciated.

Cheers,
       TRYGVE SVENDSEN
       NORWAY