Manchester United missed a golden opportunity to go level on points with packleaders Chelsea as they lost 0-1 to Astonvilla yesterday. Gabriel Agbonlahor's 21st minute header was the difference between the 2 sides, as United dominated the game offensively but failed to get the ball into the back of the net.

United turned up with a strong squad as they looked to capitalise on CHelsea's slip up against Everton earlier in the afternoon. With Kuszczak at the goal and both Vidic and Brown at center back and only Darren Fletcher playing out of position at right back United was expected to be free from the defensive glitches that it has been plagued with. Midfield saw Ji Sung Park get a run in along with Valencia, Carrick, Anderson and Giggs with Rooney up front. The opening minutes saw United get off to a good start and within 10 minutes they were clearly in charge of proceedings. Astonvilla however showed their intent plainly that they were going to go all out in attack for the entire game.

The 21st minute showed the prowess of 2 of Villa's brightest talents as Ashley Young and Agbonlahor combined on the left flank to five Villa a 0-1 lead. Agbonlahor played Young on the left who then crossed back in to the striker who had continued his run in. Agbonlahor headed in easily against a feeble challenge by both Brown and Vidic. United missed several chances both before and after Villa's goal and United supporters might rue that yesterday just wasn't their day. Valencia had two chances both of which were  wasted by him. The first one in particular saw him with a chance to shoot but he decided to pass it on to Rooney and the chance went a begging. Ronney's attempt which hit the underside of the bar was the closest United came to scoring. Rooney recieved the lofted pass from Patrice Evra with a fantastic first touch and then smashed his shot into the crossbar leaving supporters tearing their hair out in frustration. Villa also had a chance to go 0-2 up when a horrible mixup between Vidic and Kuszczak lead to Fletcher receivng a pass enexpectedly. Agbonlahor got it off Fletcher and tried to play it through for Heskey but Kuszczak made up for his mistake by latching on to the ball safely. Ryan Giggs for once, had a mediocre day in office as he could pull off none of his mesmerising tricks against a resolute Villa defence.

The 2nd half started with Michael Owen replacing a lacklustre GIggs. It was one-way traffic with United attacking in waves and came close to scoring many a times. But it was not to be their day. With time running out, SAF played his last card by bringing on Berba and Gibson in place of Park and Anderson. Gibson immediately started influencing some fluent plays in midfield but none to great effect. Berba was then guilty of fluffing a great cross from Valencia which should have been scored by a striker of his quality. Rooney was frustrated a couple of times again by the Villa defence while Brad Friedel pulled off a fine save from Berba's low strike. The long evening ended on a sour note for United supporters as both players and  fans knew that they had let a fine opportunity to move level on points with Chelsea slip from their grasp.

With CHristmas and New Year coming up, this is typically the time United turn on the heat in the Premier League. Though i feel, Chelsea will present another couple of opportunities for United to catch up, one cannot expect much in the manner of similar slipups from CHelsea. They have already had a fair run of ordinary performances on the trot, and Carlo Ancelotti will definitely not allow them to throw away their lead easily henceforth. United will have to be sharp and grab the next chance with both hands if and when that comes.