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:
HT: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United
Hang on - it’s a double switch from Erik ten Hag, ever unpredictable. Victor Lindelof is also stripped and ready.
HT: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United
It was Matthis de Ligt being prepared to come on for Harry Maguire before half time, which feels instructive of how Erik ten Hag views his defensive pecking order. De Ligt hasn’t necessarily set the world alight since his summer arrival, though Ten Hag clearly has some degree of trust in his fellow Dutchman.
Aston Villa, remember, lost Ezri Konsa early on, with the hectic schedule perhaps taking its toll.
HT: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United
Erik ten Hag marches down the tunnel with a bit of thinking to do, Harry Maguire having to be helped off behind him. It’s been better from Manchester United, though that isn’t necessarily saying much - the experienced centre-halves have lended greater stability defensively, but the visitors are yet to dazzle in an attacking sense.
Neither, really, are Aston Villa, in what has been a somewhat sleepy Sunday affair. No shots on target so far for the hosts.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 45 + 3 minutes
There won’t be time to make that change before the interval.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 45 + 2 minutes
Jonny Evans’ gargoyle-like visage as he screams at the referee prompts a warning from Rob Jones, though the official keeps his cards in his pocket. I’m not quite sure what Evans was angry about, his foul pretty clear.
There’s concern for Manchester United’s other centre-half, too - Harry Maguire goes down as Manchester United deal with teh delivery having appeared to have tweaked something. He gropes at a calf as Matthijs de Ligt is hurriedly stripped off.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 45 minutes
Into three additional minutes, stemming mainly from Ezri Konsa’s injury with little otherwise to trouble the timekeeper.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 44 minutes
Two set pieces in a row find the hands of Andre Onana, Youri Tielemans unable to show Lucas Digne how it is done. It’s all been a little low quality so far, the fatigue of each side’s midweek exertions perhaps showing.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 41 minutes
A third booking for Manchester United, though this seems a trifle harsh on Kobbie Mainoo. The midfielder beats Youri Tielemans to the ball and the Belgian seems as much at fault for the collision that follows - but out comes the card regardless with Mainoo’s boot slightly raised.
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