Aston Villa v Man Utd LIVE: Result and reaction after dreary draw keeps pressure on Erik ten Hag
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United: Neither side could break the stalemate as the visitors were condemned to their worst start to a Premier League season
Manchester United and Aston Villa shared a dull draw to keep the pressure on visiting manager Erik ten Hag as his side made their worst start to a Premier League season.
A soporific Sunday outing perhaps reflected the pair’s midweek exertions, with neither able to move through the gears or create consistent scoring chances. Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar with a fine second half free kick and Jaden Philogene had a late glimpse for Aston Villa, but there was otherwise little to entertain the crowd.
It leavecs Manchester United down in 14th heading into the international break with just two wins from their first seven games, their worst start to a season since the English top flight’s revamp. There were a few encouraging signs for Ten Hag, particularly defensively where Jonny Evans excelled, but the club’s hierarchy have plenty to mull. Jim Ratcliffe, Dave Brailsford, Dan Ashworth and the rest watched on at Villa Park and will surely consider a change of manager during the international break.
Re-live all the action from Villa Park in our live blog below:
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 84 minutes
A change for both teams: Casemiro replaces Kobbie Mainoo; Ian Maatsen is on for Lucas Digne.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 83 minutes
How much did that win over Bayern Munich take out of Aston Villa? Even at this juncture, they just seem lacking in the precision and purpose that often characterises their performances. Still ten minutes or so to find something.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 80 minutes
It comes to nothing as the prospect of total stalemate looms ever larger. Joshua Zirkzee’s terrible touch squanders a Manchester United counter-attack and prompts a roar of encouragement from the frustrated home fans, not used to seeing their team so lethargic.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 78 minutes
Can either side manufacture a winner? Ollie Watkins pats the ball against the shins of Victor Lindelof to win a corner.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 74 minutes
It was perhaps a shame for United that Rashford, their most dangerous attacker, probably had to be substituted when he had been booked and then could have been dismissed. Enter Antony, who had only played one minute in the Premier League this season. Meanwhile, Emi Martinez has carried on where he left off against Bayern with a superlative save from Fernandes.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 72 minutes
Another defensive injury issue, both back fours in the wars today - Diego Carlos appears to have tweaked a muscle, though with Ezri Konsa off after 11 minutes earlier, he may have to soldier on. The Brazilian gets back to his feet and seems content enough with the flexion in each of his legs - on he will go, for now at least.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 70 minutes
Wasteful from Morgan Rogers, summing up a pretty messy performance from him and his Aston Villa forward cohort. The winger gets to the byline but skews his “cross” into the patrons beyond Andre Onana’s goal.
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.
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