Aston Villa feelings after Man United draw spoke volumes as two big positives become clear

BirminghamLive brings you the talking points from Aston Villa's 0-0 draw with Manchester United

It was an underwhelming performance from Aston Villa against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, but after decades of struggles against the Red Devils a draw shouldn't be sniffed at considering the lack of quality in the game.

That is especially true when Villa have made a strong start to the campaign, taking 14 points after seven league games and are currently sat in fifth place. Last season, Villa lost twice to United and in the last four meetings between the two sides, Erik ten Hag won all of them.

Villa came into the game searching for only their second home win against United in the Premier League since 1995 having beaten them in Emery's first match in charge in November 2022. Villa would have also made their best start to a top-flight campaign after seven games since 1998/99 if they won, but are instead just one point away from their tally at the stage of last season.

READ | Full Unai Emery press conference as Aston Villa boss agrees about big positive after Man United draw

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Here are the talking points from the draw...

IF YOU CAN'T WIN, MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LOSE

Villa fans will feel deflated not to beat every team in the division at Villa Park, apart from title chasers Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool. Even then, after defeating City and Arsenal last term and Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, Emery's side have proven their capabilities to turn anyone over at home.

United's form heading into Saturday's clash meant that Villa's failure to claim their fifth win of the season feels even more frustrating. They were there for the taking at Villa Park, but only if the hosts played with the sort of attacking verve which has seen them become a team to be feared under Emery.

Villa barely made a chance to break the deadlock until the final minutes when Jaden Philogene had the opportunity to snatch all three points. His effort from close range was well blocked by Diogo Dalot.

If Villa weren't going to win the match, then it was crucial that they didn't lose it like last season.

Villa have now only lost one of their last four Premier League home games against United, taking more points from these games (5) than they did from their previous 16 home matches against them in the top-flight between 2002-03 and 2020-21 (4).

BAYERN HANGOVER

It's fair to say that there was a hangover from the historic win over Bayern. Villa's play was flat and so was the atmosphere for large spells of the game, probably due to the lack of intensity on the pitch.

The combined expected goals total between Villa and United in the game was just 1.05 – the lowest in a Premier League match so far this season. Indeed, the last game in the competition to see a lower combined total was Arsenal 1-0 in October 2023 (0.87).

It was also Villa’s first goalless draw at Villa Park in the Premier League since May 2021, a 0-0 stalemate with Everton under Dean Smith.

"It's not a bad result, playing at home here, but it's not the best," Emery admitted to Sky Sports. "How we played, I think the draw is fair for both teams. Maybe in the second half we controlled more than them, but also they hit the crossbar.

"We missed some energy, but I am happy because the draw was not the worst result, and in the second half we corrected some things to control the match. Maybe it's because we have some players injured. Bailey is getting better but he's not completely fit. Some other players are also getting better. This is the idea we have.

"Of course to play in the Champions League this week. We tried to play with the same energy and tried to impose ourselves, but we are against Manchester United. The expectation I had of the match is what more or less happened. We deserved more from the second half. But I think the result is fair.

"We are in the process of building a team. Ross Barkley played 90 minutes for us. We are managing things better. I am happy. We could be better in the table but we are more or less in the top six but I am happy with what we are doing. The international break will be good for rest."

TAKING THE POSITIVES

Villa are now unbeaten in four home matches in all competitions and have some winnable games to come at Villa Park. After the first match back after the October international break against Fulham at Craven Cottage, Villa will play Bologna, Bournemouth and then Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup all at home.

Palace then return to Villa Park for a league game not long after the cup fixture, before Villa also host Brentford and Southampton at the start of December. There's a great chance for Villa to build some more momentum at home before Christmas.

Villa have also kept two clean sheets in a row for the first time since January, which is a huge plus considering the amount of goals which were being conceded at the start of the campaign.

It's a sign of how far Villa have come that it's easier to pick out the negatives about a draw with United just days after beating Bayern.

FRESH INJURY CONCERN

It is a concern that Villa have picked up quite a few injuries in the opening months of the campaign. Ezri Konsa is the latest player to suffer an injury, which could keep him out for weeks depending on the severity of his problem, which looked like a hamstring injury.

Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn and Amadou Onana all missed Villa's clash with United, while Leon Bailey wasn't 100 per cent fit. The Jamaica international still started the match, but Emery admitted in his post-match press conference that he is still struggling.

Bailey wasn't included in the Jamaica national team squad, which is a bonus for Villa as he is in need of a rest before Villa play seven games in a three-week period after the October international break.

Emery is hopeful that he will get McGinn, Onana and Ramsey back before Villa's trip to Fulham. It is unclear for how long Konsa will be sidelined.

CLARET & BLUE VERDICT

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