Match Report: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United were held to a goalless draw against Aston Villa on Sunday in what was a rather bland affair at Villa Park.

Coming off an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur as well as a disappointing 3-3 draw to a vulnerable FC Porto in the Europa League, Man United were in dire need of a positive result as they look to salvage their season. This was particularly true for manager Erik ten Hag, whose been faced with a barrage of criticism due to his continued inability to improve his team’s fortunes.

Just three minutes in, Christian Eriksen was brandished a yellow card for a rough challenge on Ollie Watkins. Fortunately, Diogo Dalot did well to header the subsequent free kick out of danger.

A minute later, however, it was United who were on the counter with Marcus Rashford cutting into the box and delivering a blistering shot that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved.

Eight minutes in, Morgan Rogers did well to bend a shot from distance around Jonny Evans who was marking him tightly. Ultimately, Evans’ positioning paid off as the shot veered wide.

For much of the minutes that followed, United attempted to play out fast counter-attacks when they weren’t playing out from the back under pressure. Onana’s long balls became the order of the day, with United clearly struggling to assume any control in the midfield.

A half-hour in, Youri Tielemans dispossessed Rasmus Hojlund in his own half, sparking a counter-attack that resulted in a shot deflected out for a corner. Fortunately, the cross was well dealt with by Evans.

With 10 minutes to go until the break, Lucas Digne drilled in a threatening cross that an unmarked Leon Bailey rose to meet. Had Bailey’s touch not been bad, it would have been another soft goal conceded due to shoddy defending.

A minute later, Maguire took down Watkins on the edge of the box to receive United’s second yellow card of the game. Digne’s delivery found itself in the gloves of Andre Onana.

Bizarrely, Kobbie Mainoo was booked after he clashed with Tielemans in what appeared to be an unintentional clash for which both players shared equal blame.

As three minutes of added time were announced, Hojlund complained after he never received a free kick after being taken down by Diego Carlos. It appeared as if there wasn’t enough in it for the referee to declare a foul.

On the stroke of half-time, Maguire hobbled off the field with an injured leg. Matthijs de Ligt was spotted rising from the bench, potentially preparing to come on for his teammate in the second half.

Ultimately, it was a calm ending to the first half, with no major mistakes being made on United’s part.

It was a much-changed United team coming out of the tunnel for the second half, with Victor Lindelof coming on for Noussair Mazraoui, while Maguire was replaced by De Ligt.

Three minutes after the restart, Rashford thumped in a thunderous shot from long range which the keeper tipped over the bar for a corner. Eriksen’s cross reached Alejandro Garnacho, whose shot drifted far wide of the near post.

On the 50-minute mark, a Villa corner kick was passed out to Matty Cash, whose shot from distance veered wide.

Villa were in on goal again a few minutes later, however, Cash’s close-range cross into the box was headed out by an alert Diogo Dalot. Tielemans was on the receiving end of the corner, however, his shot from outside the box was well saved by Onana. United’s defence proved largely steady for the match so far.

57 minutes in, Watkins was on the break, sending in a shot from the right of the goalmouth that Onana was well-positioned to deal with. Still, his shot was high, resulting in a United goal kick.

Two minutes later, Rashford brought down Cash near the touchline, earning United’s fourth yellow card of the afternoon.

On the hour mark, Rashford, who has just been booked, pushed Bailey to the ground on the edge of the box. It was a lucky escape for Rashford as the ref left him with nothing more than a stern warning, fending off calls for a sending-off by both the Villa players and supporters.

Moments later, Ten Hag took off Rashford before he got into any further trouble, substituting him for Antony. Hojlund was replaced by fellow forward Joshua Zirkzee.

In the 66th minute, Cash brought down Garnacho, handing United a free kick from a dangerous position.

Bruno Fernandes squared up to the ball, drilling in a deadly shot that thumped the crossbar. While Antony pounced on the rebound, his shot veered wide, bringing an end to United’s closest scoring opportunity of the match so far.

14 minutes from time, Antony hammered in a left-footed shot that forced a diving catch from Martinez.

With six minutes left on the clock, Casemiro came on for Mainoo, who was at risk of a sending-off due to his yellow card.

Four minutes from time, Lindelof was booked for taking out the legs of Rogers. Another unnecessary foul by a United player.

Three minutes into six minutes of stoppage time, Villa were handed a sitter when De Ligt completely missed an incoming through ball. Jaden Philogene collected the ball. However, Dalot managed to block the shot.

While Villa were clearly off their game, United were fortunate to come away with a point, given their poor discipline and lack of midfield control throughout the encounter.

Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Fernandes, Hojlund, Rashford, Eriksen, Garnacho, Dalot, Evans, Mainoo Subs: Lindelof, De Ligt, Antony, Zirkzee, Casemiro

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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