Aston Villa 0-0 Man United: Erik ten Hag survives make-or-break clash as spoils are shared in goalless draw against Unai Emery's hosts Neither side managed to break the deadlock in fierce contest at Villa Park Man United boss Erik ten Hag avoided suffering another costly defeat LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday By Ian Ladyman Published: 16:02, 6 October 2024 | Updated: 16:29, 6 October 2024 e-mail 11 shares 14 View comments In a season of shuddering setbacks and personal humiliations, this will have felt like a little like a win for Erik ten Hag . A win as much as it wasn’t another defeat.
A win in so much as it wasn’t another afternoon that left his head spinning and his employment prospects tossed once more on to the autumn breeze. A win in so much as it looked as though his Manchester United players were maybe still playing for him, just. The United manager got a bit lucky.
He was lucky that this was not the Aston Villa we have come to know here this season. This was Villa-lite, down on energy and adrenaline after their disposal of Bayern Munich in the Champions League last Wednesday. He was also lucky that Marcus Rashford was not sent off for a selfish and stupid hack at an opponent with 25 minutes left.
Rashford had already been booked and should have walked. And, finally, he was lucky that a 93rd minute shot by Villa’s Jaden Philogene did not find the net. United defender Diogo Dalot.