Aston Villa v Man Utd LIVE: Result and reaction after dreary draw keeps pressure on Erik ten Hag | OneFootball

(Getty Images)

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.

Erik ten Hag confident he retains ownership’s backing

“We always speak. We speak every week,” Ten Hag says to Sky Sports when asked if he will speak to the club’s hierarchy post-match. “We are all on board, together, on one page. We know what we are working to, it is a long-term project. We have to keep improving.

“We proved in two very tough away games that this is a team. We showed our togetherness, our spirit, but also the belief and faith we have.”

(PA Wire)

Harry Latham-Coyle6 October 2024 16:24

Jonny Evans speaks to Sky Sports after Manchester United’s draw with Aston Villa

“It wasn’t perfect. We didn’t pass the ball as well as we would have liked, but we got a point against a good side away from home. We wanted to be a bit more defensive-minded and make sure we didn’t concede to give ourselves a chance. We were looking for that one moment of a bit of quality, which we nearly got at the end. But fair play to Villa, they are a good team and played well today.

“They are good players, so you are never comfortable. Ollie Watkins is aggresive so you’ve got to be on your toes. We had to make things tight today, and we did that well. I still feel like I play a game I always have, and I still feel like I’ve got a bit of speed in my legs.

“I enjoy every moment I have on the pitch now. I have that buzz for every game, and I try to make the most of it. It is a privilege to play for this club, I’ve had a long affiliation with it. With the pressures that come with it, it’s a privilege too - the support the fans have given the team is great to see. It was great for [Erik ten Hag] to see that - the other night, you could see the emotion of letting that game slip away. You could see that everyone was running themselves into the ground, so I’m pleased for him that we could get that result today.”

(Getty Images)

Harry Latham-Coyle6 October 2024 16:11

FULL TIME: Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

(Getty Images)

Harry Latham-Coyle6 October 2024 15:59

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 90 + 2 minutes

Sarcastic cheers as Rob Jones returns to the pitch. Aston Villa do have that rather dangerous free kick to take, after the delay...but Bruno Fernandes and Matthijs de Ligt head away.

Harry Latham-Coyle6 October 2024 15:53

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United, 90 minutes

Even the batteries in the referee’s communications system are lacking in energy. Rob Jones wanders over to the touchline to get his technology seen to, a chap earnestly sprinting around to provide him with a spare. He could probably call the game at this stage, one would suggest somewhat uncharitably.

Six minutes are indicated up on the board, though we will play past that.

Harry Latham-Coyle6 October 2024 15:51