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:
Team news - Aston Villa
A handful of changes to the Aston Villa side that beat Bayern Munich, with Matty Cash, Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey all promoted from the bench.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Philogene, Barkley, Tielemans; Bailey, Watkins, Rogers.
Everyone piles on – Harry Maguire calls for Man Utd to stick together
Harry Maguire says Manchester United have to stick together as “everyone piles on” under-fire boss Erik ten Hag and his team ahead of Sunday’s crunch trip to Aston Villa.
The misfiring Red Devils are in desperate need of a shot in the arm after last weekend’s 3-0 home humbling at the hands of Tottenham was compounded in Portugal on Thursday.
United blew a two-goal lead away to Porto and were staring down the barrel of defeat in the Europa League until super-sub Maguire’s thumping stoppage-time header snatched a 3-3 draw.
Everyone piles on – Harry Maguire calls for Man Utd to stick together
Defeat to Tottenham was compounded as United blew a two-goal Europa League lead against Porto.
Manchester United are stuck in ‘purgatory’ – and there’s only one way out
When one prominent football figure caught a glimpse of the Manchester United dressing room recently, they immediately recognised a scene they had seen from rival clubs. That was a squad that “doesn’t know what next” and feels like it’s “going nowhere”. It isn’t intentional, of course, but is a feeling that starts to grip a group when there’s no sense of clarity.
“It’s like purgatory,” was the phrase. That description is all the more apt, given how the 3-3 draw at Porto represented another back and forth, amid this widespread wonder over what the club will do with Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United are stuck in ‘purgatory’ – and there’s only one way out
The same cycle is unfolding at Manchester United to leave Ten Hag on the brink ahead of Sunday’s trip to Villa Park
Man Utd are always slow to pull the trigger – can Erik ten Hag dodge the bullet again?
Erik ten Hag may regret his choice of words. In saying on Sunday that he was not worried he would be sacked, the Dutchman stated he was “in the same boat” as Manchester United’s owners. It brought suggestions the vessel in question was the Titanic or some other sinking ship. Any Porto in a storm? It looked that way when United went 2-0 up in Portugal on Thursday, less so when they were 3-2 and a man down. An eventual 3-3 draw nevertheless means Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa assumes colossal proportions. A fourth defeat in six league matches would cast further doubt on Ten Hag’s assertion this week that United would make their season a success.
Man Utd are slow to pull the trigger – can Ten Hag dodge the bullet again?
A familiar set of events is unfolding at Old Trafford, writes Richard Jolly, but can Ten Hag escape before he is sucked down?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Manchester United decision on Erik ten Hag ‘not my call’
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said a decision on boss Erik Ten Hag’s position is not down to him.
Ten Hag’s future is the subject of widespread discussion just three months after Ineos committed to the Dutchman, extending his contract following an in-depth post-season review.
But the afterglow of May’s FA Cup win against Manchester City has long since faded, with Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat at Tottenham compounded four days later as United blew a two-goal lead against Porto in the Europa League.
Ratcliffe gives cryptic response when quizzed on Ten Hag sack rumours
Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat at Tottenham was compounded four days later as United blew a two-goal lead against Porto
Aston Villa vs Manchester United LIVE
Hello and welcome along to The Independent’s live coverage of Aston Villa vs Manchester United in the Premier League. The visitors arrive in desperate need of a faith-restoring victory as manager Erik ten Hag edges ever closer to the sack, a last-gasp draw in the Europa League doing little to bolster his side’s confidence.
Aston Villa, by contrast, enjoyed their midweek outing, beating Bayern Munich 1-0 in a performance that evoked memories of the club’s greatest European night. Kick off is at 2pm BST.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments