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, 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.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 7 minutes
Marcus Rashford forces the first save from Emililano Martinez, though it’s relatively comfortable for the goalkeeper as he flays away to his left.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 4 minutes
Not the best delivery. A comfortable clearing header for one of Manchester United’s bigger blokes as the hierarchy look on from on high.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 3 minutes
Morgan Rogers wins a free kick out of Christian Eriksen, forced to clip the heels having been turned a little too easily. An early booking for the Dane and a chance for Aston Villa to load the box.
Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 1 minute
Ross Barkley gets on the ball in the opening minute and pierces Manchester United’s midfield two, requiring Jonny Evans to step out of defence and sweep the ball out of play. Barkley is playing alongside Youri Tielemans in Aston Villa’s midfield pairing, with Jaden Philogene, Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey supporting Ollie Watkins.
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