Aston Villa looked to top off a fine week with a win against Manchester United having beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek.
Unai Emery had some decisions to make going into the Manchester United clash with a few players struggling after the historic win over Bayern Munich.
Jacob Ramsey, Leon Bailey and Amadou Onana all picked up niggles against Bayern and Bailey was the only one of the three that made the squad for the Villa Park clash.
Matty Cash came into the side for his first appearance since picking up an injury against Arsenal in the second game of the season, with Ezri Konsa shifting to centre-back.
However, Konsa was forced off through injury after just 12 minutes to be replaced by Diego Carlos as Villa struggled to get going after their European exploits.
Moments of quality were few and far between in a poor game of football and the 0-0 scoreline reflected that as Villa stay fifth heading into the second international break of the season.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Man Utd
Emi Martinez – 7
Little to do in the first-half but was comfortable when he was called into action.
Started the second-half with a brilliant save from Marcus Rashford and made a couple more good stops before his work was done.
Matty Cash – 6
Cash came into the side to give Villa a more natural right-back and was up against a tricky customer in Rashford.
Not a bad first game back but his work in the final third always leaves a little to be desired. Made a vital intervention in second-half stoppage time to stop a United counter.
Ezri Konsa – N/A
Was forced off through injury after just 12 minutes with what looked like a hamstring injury to be replaced by Carlos.
Pau Torres – 7
Carries the ball so well out of defence and looked as composed as ever with his passing.
Defensively solid against a United attack that did not offer too much threat.
Lucas Digne – 7
Lucas Digne defended well up against Alejandro Garnacho who is much quicker than the French left-back.
Found joy getting forward too and has such quality delivering from the left.
Leon Bailey – 4
Having been a substituted substitute against Bayern, Bailey started against United and had a quiet first-half.
Had a decent opportunity to head at the back post following a Digne cross but instead unsuccessfully tried to control with his weaker foot.
Looks a player short on confidence currently and Emery needs his winger to step up.
Youri Tielemans – 7.5
Youri Tielemans has really improved his aggression and off the ball work this season and this was required more than ever with Onana absent.
A couple of decent efforts on goal as well as another good display with the ball as the Belgian continues to be key for Emery this season.
Ross Barkley – 4
A very different player to Onana, Ross Barkley struggled to really make his mark on the game.
Feels like a player who would improve with more game time but may not be afforded that luxury currently and Emery was frustrated as he gave the ball away far too regularly.
Jaden Philogene – 6
Earned the right to start in the Premier League for the first time after an impressive display against Bayern.
Looked bright and fired an effort narrowly wide from outside the box early in the first-half but was less involved in the second 45 minutes.
Morgan Rogers – 6
Villa weren’t able to get Morgan Rogers into the game on too many occasions in the first-half but when he was given the ball with space to run into he was at his most dangerous.
The final action was missing on a disappointing afternoon by Rogers’ standards.
Ollie Watkins – 5
Ran the channels well up against a United central defence not comfortable being dragged into wide areas but had little in the way of chances in the first 45 minutes.
Very quiet in the second-half and may start to worry for his starting spot with Duran breathing down his neck.
Substitutes:
Diego Carlos – 7
Having come out of the starting XI for Cash’s return he soon entered the fray to replace the injured Konsa.
Did well up against Rasmus Hojlund and matched the striker physically in one of his better showings of late.
Jhon Duran – 6
Ian Maatsen – N/A
