Aston Villa v Man Utd LIVE: Latest score and goal updates as Bruno Fernandes strikes crossbar
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:
OFF THE WOODWORK! Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 68 minutes
Off the crossbar! A beautiful free kick from Bruino Fernandes bends beyond the fingertips of Emiliano Martinez at full stretch, but it ricochets away with a doink off the woodwork.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 67 minutes
Alejandro Garnacho takes a tumble under pressure from Matty Cash, who has a grasp of the winger’s shirt and thus can’t really complain when the whistle blows. It’s well within Bruno Fernandes’s range.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 64 minutes
Manchester United, having survived a free kick, make a double switch: Erik ten Hag knows Marcus Rashford won’t get another reprieve, while Rasmus Hojlund looks a little leggy. Antony and Joshua Zirkzee are on.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 63 minutes
A roar from the home fans as Unai Emery throws on Jhon Duran for Leon Bailey. Can the super-sub strike again?
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 62 minutes
Now then! Another foul from Marcus Rashford as he is done like a kipper by Leon Bailey...no card! He’s got away with one there, his trip cynical and a little away from the ball. He escapes without a second yellow from referee Rob Jones.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 60 minutes
A retreating Marcus Rashford is booked for halting an Aston Villa counter-attack. The hosts try a Stricly Come Dancing routine before taking, though it is more Paul Merson than JB Gill, and comes to no avail.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester Untied, 59 minutes
Some signs of a threat from Villa in the last few minutes, with dangerous shots from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins from distance. United have a different kind of makeshift defence now after losing Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui at half-time. With two defenders down, it makes it still more important Jonny Evans can complete the game.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 57 minutes
Aston Villa build a bit of pressure, a couple of corners followed by a couple of chances as Ollie Watkins fires over the crossbar.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 53 minutes
Morgan Rogers has three supporting players ahead of him as he bursts beyond the Manchester United midfield after an error from Bruno Fernandes, but a couple of clumsy touches allow Jonny Evans to step in. Evans has impressed today, backing up his manager’s call to start him.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 51 minutes
A corner grants Aston Villa the opportunity to load the box, and a canny routine sets up Matty Cash for a shot from 18 yards. It’s closer to the corner flag than Andre Onana, though, drawing a scowl at the iPad from the club’s set-piece coach.
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