John Burridge, Aston Villa’s £100,000 goalkeeper saved his side from an even more humiliating defeat, but earned the praise of Manchester United’s fiercely partisan Old Trafford fans.

If it had not been for the 23 year-old goalkeeper’s ability and reflexes Villa might have received a more comprehensive hiding from Tommy Docherty’s rampant United.

Burridge made world-class saves from Steve Coppell, Sammy Mcllroy, Stuart Pearson and Lou Macari which was just as well because he could seldom rely on the defensive cover in front of him.

Ron Saunders. Villa’s manager, was afterwards full of praise for his goalkeeper: “He played exceptionally well and did everything asked of him under difficult conditions.” he said.

Saunders refrained from commenting publicly on the individual displays of several other members of his side, but the guilty ones can expect to be on the manager’s mat when they report for training today.

Burridge could not he blamed for the goals in the 18th and 55th minutes from the lively Coppell and the enterprising McIlroy. Both were gifted to them by slack defensive work.

Chris Nicholl and company had a wretched time trying to quell United’s eager attack in which the unselfish work of Pearson and the fine debut of £70,000 Gordon Hill from Millwall were the prominent features.

It was a pity that England manager Don Revie decided to stay at home instead of traveling to Old Trafford, he might have found Pearson’s form irresistible.

Pearson gave the sort of display that should make him an automatic selection for England’s vital European championship game in Portugal this Wednesday. But he will most probably miss the vote again.

John Gidman will have been thankful however, that Revie was not present. He was at fault with both goals giving McIlroy space and time to cross from the left for Coppell’s goal and then allowing the Irish international to wriggle past and score himself from close range.

Ironically Villa might well have had the game won in the first 15 minutes if Ray Graydon had shown anything of last season’s shooting power. He had four excellent chances, two of which he really should have put away, and he was unlucky when another attempt hit goalkeeper Paddy Roche on the shins.