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Match Report: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

In a game defined by tight defences and missed opportunities, Aston Villa and Manchester United played to a scoreless draw that spoke volumes about their intent but delivered little excitement.

Coming into the game, Villa were the odds-on favourites after a massive win against European giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League and after a tough midweek battle in the Europa League, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag came under real pressure to get a result after a run of poor form.

KICK OFF

There were no events during the first half that could separate the sides based on the scoreline, and the highlights were few and far between. An already-stretched Villa squad didn’t welcome the unwanted injury of Ezri Konsa after just 12 minutes as a suspected hamstring tear meant that Diego Carlos had to enter the field of play for the England international.

Towards the closing stages of the first half, Harry Maguire went into the book of referee Rob Jones after catching Ollie Watkins with a hanging arm and bringing him down on the right-hand side of the United area. The following free kick forced Onana into an easy save away. A few minutes later, 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo collided with Youri Tielemans and received a yellow card for his actions in the centre-circle.

The 2 sides registered just 6 shots between them during the first half, which was the joint lowest out of any Premier League first half all season and it was the sixth game out of the opening seven where the red side of Manchester failed to score before the break.

HALF TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED

At an attempt to try and change the game, Erik Ten Hag made 2 substitutes onto the field, Harry Maguire couldn’t continue after an injury picked up during the first half and was replaced by former Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt as well as Victor Lindelof replacing Noussair Mazraoui.

Manchester United started the second half on the upper foot, where Marcus Rashford let fly from 20 yards in the 48th minute and forced Argentinian goalkeeper Emi Martinez into a fingertip save over the crossbar.

Less than 10 minutes later, a smart corner tactic from Villa’s Lucas Digne where he picked out Leon Bailey who laid off to former Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans from a short corner and he chose to fire a rocket from outside the penalty area and forced Onana into a routine save.

Marcus Rashford found himself in the book for a blatant bringing down of Matty Cash near the far touchline and was lucky to remain on the field just 3 minutes later, as he tripped up Cash once again but the referee Rob Jones gave him a firm warning, which caused boos around the ground, before Ten Hag took the hint and then subbed him off and was replaced by Antony.

A rare moment of quality came in the 68th minute from a Bruno Fernandes dipping free kick which left the crossbar reverberating from just under 25 yards out and Antony had a golden opportunity for the rebound and sent an almost open goal wide.

Both teams were settled for a point even in the later stages of the game and neither side showed any real desire to go on and find a winner late on in the Premier League clash.

FULL TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED.

After the draw at Villa Park, Manchester United had their worst start after 7 games in the clubs history, collecting just 8 points, meaning they now have had a worse start than the previous record, also set by Erik Ten Hag last season.

 

 

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