If the midweek display against Bayern Munich was a version of Aston Villa from our wildest dreams, this was a game and an opposition to temper our expectations gently. This was not a classic, but it’s a measure of how far we’ve come that a point against 13-time Premier League champions might feel like an opportunity missed.
On a drizzly, grey afternoon, Villa were stop-start against an Erik Ten Hag team that was likely wondering if their boss had a future this side of the international break. United are a confused outfit these days and look every bit like a side that’s 14th in the league. They wasted time at every opportunity, lacked any obvious tactical game plan and their stand-out player was 36-year-old Jonny Evans. It’s no understatement that this is the poorest Manchester United in modern memory.
Villa were visibly feeling the effects physically and mentally of overcoming Bayern. It was a full-on 90 minutes midweek that had taken its toll and there were injuries to Ramsey and Onana to contend with too. Leon Bailey was again prematurely recalled but still looks far short of match sharpness following a recent layoff. It was another big blow to see Ezri Konsa withdraw, but positive to see Diego Carlos’ recent uptick in form continue as his replacement.
United’s best chance was a freekick from the mostly quiet Fernandes which thudded against the bar in the second half. Substitute Antony could only curl the rebound wide with the goal at his mercy. In a game of few clear-cut chances, Villa will reflect on Rogers’ early drive going just wide and Ollie Watkins powering an effort just over Onana’s bar. Philogene arguably had the two best opportunities of the game in either half. The first he created himself, moving into space at the edge of the area before unleashing a fine effort that flew just wide of the far post. The second came at the death, as a deft Maatsen cutback evaded all but the winger who saw his first-time effort deflect fortuitously off a scrambling United defender.
Another talking point was that of Marcus Rashford staying on the pitch. The forward picked up a deserved yellow and then committed a deliberate foul on the hour mark, tripping Bailey as he skipped past. Everyone in the ground expected to see a red card, but it never came. Ten Hag swiftly subbed Rashford before he found himself a man down.
It wasn’t a great game, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for a halt in the continuation of the progress that Emery has brought to B6. Villa were again largely comfortable and United offered little to suggest that they will be threatening Champions League spots this term. That can only be considered a positive with Chelsea much improved. We also remain unbeaten aside from the Arsenal loss and that was a game where Villa walked away with no shame at all. Whilst no fan of international breaks, it will hopefully allow for some recuperation on the injuries front and to regroup ahead of an away trip to Craven Cottage.
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