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, 36 minutes
A deep cross bounces away off the laces of Leon Bailey, who is unable to bend his foot around the ball.
Harry Maguire soon grants Aston Villa another crossing opportunity, though, as he raises an arm to block the path of Ollie Watkins. Into the book he goes.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 34 minutes
So far, so good for United. A largely uneventful start has been notable for a couple of fine interceptions by Jonny Evans, who has brought more solidity so far than De Ligt and Martinez did against Porto. Marcus Rashford has looked a threat on the break, too, though the yellow card Christian Eriksen collected is a concern. He looks understandably reluctant to make a challenge now.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 33 minutes
Nope. Two meek deliveries and away come Manchester United, with Youri Tielemans fouling Rasmus Hojlund.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 32 minutes
Can that get Aston Villa going? Youri Tielemans’ shot is blocked behind to win a corner.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 31 minutes
It’s all been a bit scrappy so far, Aston Villa short of their usual control, Manchester United looking very much like a side snatching at everything, knowing the likely stakes. Alejandro Garnacho both wins the ball and loses it inside the home box.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 29 minutes
A loose touch from Ross Barkley, arriving on the fringes of the box but unable to take a shooting opportunity due to a leaden toe.
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.
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