Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United: What Were The Key Talking Points As Villa Miss Out On The Chance To Collect Another Heavyweight Scalp?

Missing out on the chance to collect another heavyweight scalp on Sunday afternoon, Aston Villa were forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Manchester United.

While Villa might have been smelling the chance to make another statement following their iconic Champions League success against Bayern Munich earlier in the week, Sunday’s high-flying hosts failed to find any kind of clinical edge.

Although England international Marcus Rashford might have tested Emiliano Martinez in the first-half, it was United skipper Bruno Fernandes who went closest as the Portuguese playmaker rattled the crossbar with a sublime free-kick.

While United goalkeeper Andre Onana was relatively untroubled here, Erik ten Hag’s side have still won just a pair of their opening seven Premier League showdowns and the pressure will remain on the Dutch tactician.

As for Villa, although they might have failed to break into the top-four this weekend, they do head into October’s international break having suffered just a single defeat across any competition.

In what turned out to be a surprisingly low-quality affair on Sunday afternoon, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Villa Park.

Villa miss out on the chance to claim another heavyweight scalp

Securing what was an iconic 1-0 victory against German giants Bayern Munich earlier in the week, Aston Villa have only continued on a remarkable fairytale since Unai Emery’s arrival in the Midlands last year.

Getting their first Champions League adventure in four decades underway with back-to-back wins, the former Arsenal boss was certainly smelling the chance to collect another heavyweight scalp at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon.

However, although Villa might have still suffered just a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, Emery’s men would have been disappointed by a missed opportunity on home soil.

Although there might have been an emotional drain following their iconic Champions League antics in midweek, Emery should take plenty of positives away from his side’s defensive improvements over the past week.

Now coming away unscathed against both Bayern Munich and Manchester United over the past few days and recording consecutive clean sheets for the first time so far this season, Villa also head into the fortnight break with just their goal difference keeping them outside the top-four.

Does a point ease any of the pressure on ten Hag’s shoulders?

While Manchester United might have eventually left the Midlands with a rugged point on Sunday afternoon, it is hard to see if their 0-0 stalemate at Villa Park will ease any of the pressure on ten Hag’s shoulders.

Despite snatching a sensational last-gasp equaliser away at Portuguese heavyweights Porto while in Europa League action earlier in the week, the former Ajax boss has rightfully come under a huge amount of scrutiny.

Suffering an infamous 3-0 drumming at home against Tottenham last weekend, United have failed to win any of their previous five appearances across all competitions and many of the Old Trafford support have made their feelings clear.

Heading into September’s international break with another 3-0 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool, the Red Devils have collected just eight points from any of their first seven Premier League showdowns.

Still battling it out in the bottom-half of the table, ten Hag will certainly face more uncertainty over October’s fortnight interval and Sunday’s guests wait for a domestic boosts continues.

United must find a clinical edge on the domestic stage

While United might have bagged a trio of Europa League strikes away at Porto on Thursday night as they eventually snatched a remarkable 3-3 draw, the Reds have struggled to find any kind of clinical edge on the domestic stage.

Forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against early-season relegation scrappers Crystal Palace on September 21st, Sunday’s guests have now failed to register a single goal in any of their previous three consecutive Premier League appearances.

Likewise, heading into September’s international break with that infamous 3-0 drumming at the hands of bitter historic rivals Liverpool, United have also drawn a blank in four of their last five showdowns against top-flight opposition.

With Rashford failing to build on his bright start after returning from September’s fortnight interval, the Reds have notched just five Premier League goals so far this season – the joint second-worst defensive tally in the division.

Match Report

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Barkley, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Philogene, Watkins

Subs: Matasen, Carlos, Duran

Manchester United: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Evans, Dalot, Maison, Eriksen, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund

Subs: de Ligt, Lindelof, Casemiro, Antony, Zirkzee

Goals: N/A

Yellow Cards: Aston Villa: Barkley – Manchester United: Maguire, Eriksen, Mainoo, Rashford

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Rob Jones