Tuesday, 23rd April, 2013
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has highlighted his side’s resolve to continue and produce a dignified second-half showing against newly-crowned champions Manchester United after a disastrous start, adding he was “delighted” the team kept on going against “the best”.
Manchester United bested the visitors with a stunning first-half display, which saw prolific Dutch striker Robin van Persie seal a hat-trick in under 35 minutes. His second goal, smashing in the ball home from a long ball from Wayne Rooney, has been commended as a contender for goal of the season.
But the Villans made sure they didn’t suffer a massacre, with the 8-0 drubbing they experienced at the hands of Chelsea still fresh in their minds. Forwards Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann made sure David de Gea was kept busy, with the whole squad holding the fort, conceding not a single goal in the second-half.
"The damage was done early”, Lambert told his club’s official site. “It was disappointing because you’ve got to come here and get a foothold in the game. But we lost a goal after about sixty seconds. The second goal was just an unbelievable finish.
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"I knew it was going to be really tough but all credit to my team. They kept on going. It was important we didn’t capitulate like we did at Stamford Bridge. We didn’t. We kept on going”, the Scotsman continued.
Lambert added that his side had their own chances, a testament to the attacking prowess of the team. “We had one or two chances ourselves too. If Christian [Benteke] had scored with the score at 1-0 we’d have had a chance.
"We attacked them in the second half. We have guys like that. I am pretty proud that they kept on going. I was delighted with that side of our game.”
Lambert also had a few choice words for the winning team, who sealed their 20th top-flight at the Scottish tactician’s expense. "Congratulations to Manchester United. They have been the best team all season.
"They work really hard, they work for each other, they have a mentality that has been here for years and years. The best team always wins the league."
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