6 October 2024
Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 0
Aston Villa had a memorable win in midweek against German heavyweights in the Champions League. It seemed appropriate that their next league game be against Bayern Munich reserves. The visitors were desperate for a win, or more aptly Erik ten Hag was to save his job. It is a massive turnaround in fortunes of both clubs that the hosts came into this as heavy favourites.
When asked about the Dutchman’s future in the week, the footballing world seemed shocked when Sir Jim Ratcliffe proclaimed that it is not his decision to make. Not much of a surprise considering the guy only owns a 25% stake in the football club. Although since his investment he has been lording it around Old Trafford like he is some sort of messiah.
Many were hoping for an entertaining encounter with both sides going for the win. Rashford had the first chance as he cut inside from the left and got a shot away but Martinez beat the effort out without much trouble. It was certainly a positive start by the visitors who felt the need to put Aston Villa back in their box and make a statement.
Despite spending in excess of £600m during his time at Old Trafford, ten Hag left both the centre-backs he signed on the bench and reverted back to Evans and Maguire in defence. All of this seeming quite the contradiction having tried so hard to get rid of both players on multiple occasions. Ironically, the veteran defender is the only thing that reminds their fans of the Ferguson era now.
Rogers had a good chance to open the scoring for the hosts but dragged his shot wide of goal. We have come to expect far better from the midfielder this season as he has really settled into this Aston Villa team. It got the home fans up out of their seats at least as the game failed to come to life as many had hoped it would.
Philogene cut inside from the left and hit a swerving shot towards goal with some zip. Sadly for the Villa fans it always swerving away from the United goal. It was a game of very few chances and the sides went in at the break level with nothing to separate them. Emery’s side looked like they were suffering a hangover from their European exploits.
After the interval, the game started exactly like the first half. Rashford cut inside from the left and looked to score from some distance. This time his shot asked a little more of Martinez as he had to make an acrobatic save to tip it over the crossbar. It was the closest we had come to a goal at Villa Park and both sets of fans hoped it was a sign of things to come.
The quality seemed to be lacking in the final pass from both sides. As a corner was played short, Cash worked it to Tielemans on the edge of the box. His shot was struck with some power but was straight at Onana who opted to punch it clear. Emery’s side seem to be coming to life more and this ignited the passion of the home faithful.
Rashford received a yellow card for a clumsy challenge and then moments later committed another foul. The hosts were demanding that he be sent off but the referee was having none of it. To be fair, the second one was more of a yellow card than the first. For some reason, officials seem to give more leeway once you have already been booked.
Garnacho was upended outside the box and won his side a free kick. Fernandes stood over the ball and struck a brilliant effort that had Martinez well beaten. Sadly for the Man Utd skipper it came thundering back off the crossbar. So close to giving the Red Devils the lead in this tight encounter. It was certainly the closest we had come to a goal in this game.
Villa continued to push forward and should have sealed the win when a cross was missed by De Ligt and came through to Philogene at the back post. Dalot stood in front of him and as he pulled the trigger, turned his back on shot. Fortunately for the visitors, it struck the full back and went wide of the goal but should have been in the back of the net.
Weirdly, as Man Utd love to do under ten Hag, Dalot started high hiving his teammates like he knew anything about it. Madness. Either way, the block was important as it ensured that Man Utd took a point from the game. The game failed to deliver and was a tough watch at times. It was definitely mis-sold by Sky as they badged it part of their Super Sunday billing.
It may be another result that keeps their manager in a job for a little bit longer. Not that any other person could do much with this shambolic situation at Old Trafford currently, many have tried. Aston Villa sit in fifth position, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. The international break will come as a welcome rest for both teams as they look to regroup for the season ahead.
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