Hernandez Brace Resurrects United

A Javier Hernandez double inspired yet another Manchester United comeback in a hard fought victory against a deflated Aston Villa.

Hernandez, a second half substitute, left Villa feeling a sense of de ja vu after United came from 2-0 down to turn the game on its head.

A pulsating second half was barely five minutes old when Andreas Weimann doubled Villa’s lead, after opening the scoring on the stroke of half time, with a close range finish from Gabriel Agbonlahor’s cross.

But the introduction of Hernandez was the catalyst for a dramatic turn around and three goals in half an hour which captured all three points for the league leaders.

Were Villa architects of their own downfall?

Emphatically not.

Paul Lambert’s side won’t be win the league with kids but on this performance his youthful side must be favourites to pull themselves out of their slump. 

Villa made it hard for United, who were not at their best, by pressing their midfielders, particularly Paul Scholes, into submitting possession.

Indeed it was Lambert’s men who for an hour looked good value for their lead but Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground for United, the ground where they have prised the most Premier League points away from Old Trafford.

Villa’s lead came after 45 minutes of counter attacking play from both sides, Austrian striker Weimann placing above David de Gea in the United goal after a well measured pull-back from the lively Christian Benteke.

Though Ashley Young, who was booed from the outset, swung a shot side wide and Wayne Rooney drove one from afar, United failed to threaten Brad Guzan’s goal; Robin Van Persie cut a peripheral figure up front.

It was when the second half got under way, with Hernandez replacing the futile Young, that United’s rhythm improved. 

But when an errant pass from Scholes was latched onto by Stephen Ireland, Agbonlahor tore up the left wing in support. His cross-goal effort was diverted past De Gea from close range by Weimann and with 50 minutes on the clock Villa should have been favourites for an unlikely victory.

Ferguson’s United, though, are never dead and buried and a second half resurrection was given life when Hernandez ran onto Scholes’ lob over the Villa defence to slip past the ensuing Guzan.

United have made a habit of falling behind this season, eight times in all competitions, before recovering  to earn a victory, but when Van Persie twice hit the wood work, firstly with a close header and seconds later with a curling effort, Villa could have been forgiven for thinking this was their night.

But United don’t do sympathy and when Hernandez’s deflected second at the back post drew his side level there was only going to be one outcome.

With less than five minutes to go Van Persie swept a delivery into Villa’s penalty area to find an unmarked Hernandez to stoop low and head home to conquer.  

The last time United came from two down at this ground and won was when Ruud Van Nistelrooy fired two past Villa. 

Partnering the Dutchman that day was a Norwegian striker whose habit of conjuring match winning goals earned him cult status in the Stretford End.

Hernandez might have earned a place in the starting 11 next week.