Aston Villa v Man Utd LIVE: Latest score and goal updates as pressure piles on Erik ten Hag
Pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag who needs a positive result at Villa Park this afternoon
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag knows that pressure is mounting on his team after a run of underpar results has left them scrambling in both the Premier League and in European competition.
United have not won a game since their 7-0 hammering over League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup and slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Tottenham last time out in the top-flight. Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time goal earned them a 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday but the Red Devils had previously squandered a two-goal and looked on the verge of defeat.
In contrast, Aston Villa are flying high. They started the weekend fifth in the domestic table and come into the match on the back of a historic 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Unai Emery’s men have not been beaten since a 2-0 loss to Arsenal back in August and with Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran all in form they will be formidable opponents this afternoon.
Follow all the action from Villa Park in our live blog below:
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 27 minutes
Morgan Rogers scuttles past Christian Eriksen, who in the end does well not to foul the dynamic Aston Villa man after that earlier caution. Eriksen instead allows Jonny Evans to do the tackling, the Northern Irishman performing his duties with a forthright, firm slide.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 25 minutes
Erik ten Hag has added a padded jacket to the matching gilet as he keeps warm, the Manchester United manager not feeling the heat. His side look much more settled today than in recent games, though Aston Villa haven’t maybe yet tried to move up through the gears.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 23 minutes
Harry Maguire roars an appeal at the referee having headed against the hand of Morgan Rogers at the far post. It’s not a penalty - at all - as the video assistant soon confirms.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 20 minutes
An untimely slip from Kobbie Mainoo allows Jaden Philogene the chance to skip merrily between the lines of the Manchester United banks of four. Philogene lets fly with a powerfully-struck drive, but the fade on his tee shot takes it off the fairway with Andre Onana untroubled.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 17 minutes
Diego Carlos is into the action, bumping Rasmus Hojlund off the ball after the striker had initially got the run on the replacement centre-back. Good stuff from Carlos, though Hojlund perhaps looked slightly sluggish.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 15 minutes
Christian Eriksen has an array of options to pick out on the edge of the Aston Villa box as he stands over a deep free kick, though the Dane, somewhat curiously, instead elects to play a square pass across to Noussair Mazraoui. By the time Eriksen does swing in a delivery after the ball is returned to him, the targets are no longer so abundant, and two Aston Villa players combine to clear.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 12 minutes
A blow for Aston Villa as Ezri Konsa limps off. Just wonder if that might bring an immediate recall to the England squad for Harry Maguire, who was omitted by Lee Carsley this week. Villa Park is quieter than it was on Wednesday night against Bayern Munich, but that was inevitable, but the travelling United fans are in fine voice - even if, as is often the case, their songs aren't really about the current team or manager.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 11 minutes
Konsa’s day, alas, is done. It looks like it may be a hamstring for the England defender, which would surely rule him out of the upcoming international fixtures, too. A real shame - on comes Diego Carlos.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 10 minutes
A major worry for Aston Villa as Ezri Konsa goes down in need of treatment. Diego Carlos is being readied.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 8 minutes
Shouts of joy from the unsighted sections of the home support as Morgan Rogers lashes a shot just wide of Andre Onana’s goal, the ruffling of the rear of the net via a bounce off the advertising hoardings having created the perception of an opener.
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