Man Utd held to goalless draw by Aston Villa
Marc Skinner's side still unbeaten this season
Villa remain in search of first win
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That's all from me and the live-text team.
Not the result either manager wanted it seems. But a point is nothing to be sniffed at.
Check out Emma Smith's report from the ground by clicking the tab at the top of this page.
See ya!
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Man Utd boss Marc Skinner speaking to Sky Sports: "We weren't good enough in the first half. We weren't tight enough so then in transition Villa were able to pick up the spaces. We couldn't get enough pressure on. We needed to be way more compact, vertically and horizontally, so we could apply more pressure.
"We did that second half, got loads more territory and it was a much better display. First half performance we have to learn from that because it was not good enough. At home we have to be more aggressive and take games to the teams that come here.
"We are still a new team believe it or not. We have a brand new midfield, brand new forward, lots of different changes to adapt to. But, we are still unbeaten."
On why United lacked that aggression in the first half: "I don't think it was lackin but it was about taking the chances. All of the units have to work as one and we were ot aggressive eough at the back so the midfield line couldn't get higher and the forward line were trying but too much space. The second half was day and night from the first."
On high expectations: "I've never once been in a game where there wasn't pressure at Man Utd, never once. Everybody expects this, this, this and this, but sometimes you fall short.
"First half and half time the players knew that things weren't good enough and they spoke to each other about it. As a collective we will make sure that we make that first half a distant memory."
On remaining unbeaten: "And another clean sheet. Villa's results and position in the table are false, they have improved over the summer. We did not find the level tonight but in future games we will."
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
I started with some Hilary Mantel chat and I'll return to it now.
Robert de Pauw's comment, "My heart pours out that we have not taken what we deserve at times," could easily be from the final few pages of The Mirror and the Light. Such captivating prose!
For those who have no idea what I'm on about, read this.
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa boss Robert de Pauw speaking to Sky Sports: "I am a little bit sick of good performances without the three points. That frustrates me still. But I am proud of the way the girls played, they showed fire and determination from the beginning.
"If we look at the first half we had three or four good chances and we should have made more of those. Second half not as many chances but the overall performance and fight that we put into it, all the way until the end with ten minutes added time, we can be proud."
On United struggling to find answers to them: "It was quite silent in the first half, that is positive, but I would still like the three points."
On growing pressure on his job: "I heard the Chelsea coach say that it is not really about her, but that is easy to say when you are winning. But it is not about me. I see how everyone is doing, the players, the staff, in training and the pitch. My heart pours out that we have not taken what we deserve at times.
"We are doing everything. We leave no stone unturned each week but still it doesn't happen. We have to keep believing, keep the faith as Jurgen Klopp once said.
"We showed against Chelsea, City and here at United that we can do something, we can fight and play good football. It is time to reward ourselves."
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
I guess a lot of that aggregate came from this huge chance in the first four minutes.
And, to be fair, Villa were on the front foot for much of the first half.
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Some numbers for the xG lovers out there...
Manchester United 0.65 - 2.07 Aston Villa. Now that Villa score being so high does surprise me.
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa defender and player of the match Anna Patten speaking to Sky Sports: "It is a game we can take a lot from and work from. We all worked really hard for each other. It was a draw but we created a lot, so it's something to work on.
"We all got stuck in, won our battles all over the pitch. I think we can go into the next games now knowing we can be front-footed. We created a lot against United so we can do that against anyone.
"Our front three really caused them issues, our wingers were up and down and created a lot. The issue now is taking those chances and scoring the goals. A good performance to take into next week."
On the message from the manager: "We fear no one. We wanted to be relentless and win our battles and we definitely did that."
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa are off the bottom. They've had a to overcome a horrible run of fixtures but it looks like the performances are now there.
The results will come.
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Manchester United miss a chance to go third. That game in hand by the way, Chelsea away.
FT: Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Natasha Dowie
Former England and Liverpool striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
Villa deserved to win the game but you have to put the ball in the back of the net. They were terrific. They can take a lot of confidence from this going forwards.
For Man United they were very disappointing, the same as the Arsenal game last week, but they come away with a point. If they are to compete with the big teams again this season they will need to improve.
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
All over. Three draws in a row for Manchester United.
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Leigh Sports Village
Into the 13th minute of added time.
Are we playing until we get a goal? Because we might be here all night.
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Kenza Dali overhits her ball in and United win a goal kick.
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Natasha Dowie
Former England and Liverpool striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
This is it. Make or break.
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Still we play on. Aston Villa have a late free-kick.
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Good keeping from Sabrina D'Angelo who is quick off her line to intercept a Rachel Williams flick-on.
Sixty seconds to go.
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
All United now. Attack versus defence.
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
United win a free-kick which they pump into the box, but Villa keeper Sabrina D'Angelo punches out for a throw.
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Leigh Sports Village
"Organise, organise," yells Robert de Pauw.
He might still have to wait for his first win as Villa manager, but a point tonight would be an excellent result.
Image source, Getty ImagesMan Utd 0-0 Aston Villa
As you were. Villa easily head clear.
WSL Highlights: Manchester United held by Aston Villa
Marc Skinner said boos and calls for his dismissal are "part and parcel" of being Manchester United manager, following their third successive Women's Super League draw.
United’s title hopes stalled again as they were held at home by struggling Aston Villa in a game low on chances.
United had just one shot on target in nearly 104 minutes - including extensive stoppage time - at Leigh Sports Village, and were grateful to goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce for a superb double save in the first half.
The shutout follows draws with Brighton and Arsenal, and leaves United seven points behind WSL leaders Manchester City.
United were booed and there were chants of "Skinner out" at full-time - but the manager, who led the team to their first Women's FA Cup trophy last season, is undaunted.
"Part and parcel of being Manchester United manager - everyone can have their opinion," he said when asked by BBC Sport about the jeers.
"That's the job. For me, what I know is I can deliver winning football for this club. We've won the FA Cup and we are still unbeaten, and you still get that opinion which is fine by me. It doesn't deter me, it is about making sure our players are in the right space for a game of football."
Villa meanwhile remain winless in the league under new manager Robert de Pauw, with three draws and four defeats in seven games.
While this was an improved showing from Villa, they remain second bottom of the WSL and one of just two sides in the division – along with Everton - without a league win this season.
"I am a little bit sick of good performances without the three points. That frustrates me still," De Pauw told Sky Sports.
"We are doing everything. We leave no stone unturned each week but still it doesn't happen. We have to keep believing, keep the faith as Jurgen Klopp once said.
"We can fight and play good football. It is time to reward ourselves."
Manchester United came into this game undefeated, while Aston Villa were winless in the WSL
After winning their first three WSL matches, the early-season optimism now seems to have gone for Skinner and Manchester United.
They were particularly poor in the opening 45 minutes, where – one Melvine Malard header aside – they offered very little.
And while they were more cohesive after the break, their only effort on target was Ella Toone shooting straight at Villa keeper Sabrina D'Angelo on 73 minutes.
Grace Clinton, Manchester United’s top scorer this season, was less effective in a deeper role here. The closest she came was a snapshot early in the second half which went wide, before being withdrawn in the 75th minute.
"It's OK, I'm allowed to not be happy - just as they are," Skinner said of the first-half performance.
"I was not happy because the game is fierce. At Manchester United there is a massive expectation and you have to be ready to hold yourself."
Skinner is a divisive figure among the United fanbase after they missed out on Champions League qualification last season, and a 12-month contract extension in the summer was not greeted warmly by many supporters.
A summer rebuild of the squad looked to have borne fruit, but this was largely a return to the bad old ways for the hosts.
"We want to push up the table, qualify for Europe and win leagues," said Skinner. "But we are a brand-new team. The number of players I have had to buy to try and close the gap, and the actual time we have had together - we have had to accelerate. Not many teams in the world have to do it that quick.
"We need a little bit of calm - we know where we are headed."
United have scored the joint-fewest goals in the WSL top seven, and this blunt showing will do nothing to persuade sceptics that the team can push at the top this season.
Following a win for West Ham and draw for Everton earlier on Sunday which left Villa bottom of the WSL at kick-off, they knew a much better performance here was critical – and delivered it in the first half.
From the off they pressed United high up the pitch, Gabi Nunes nearly dispossessing home keeper Tullis-Joyce on her goalline in the third minute.
After a short-lived and unsuccessful dalliance with a 3-5-2 formation last weekend against Liverpool, Villa boss De Pauw returned to a back four – and his side looked much more coherent.
Only a brilliant double save from Tullis-Joyce stopped Villa taking the lead after 22 minutes, when she dived at Nunes' feet to push away a cross, then rose quickly to tip Jordan Nobbs' rebound over the bar.
Villa almost snatched victory in the 90th minute, a sliding Katie Robinson inches away from turning home a low cross.
One downside for De Pauw was key centre-back Lucy Parker limping off in the second half after a blow to her ankle.
But avoiding defeat for just the second time in nine WSL matches against Manchester United – and the first time ever away from home – shows there are green shoots of hope for De Pauw, who compared himself to leading Premier League managers when discussing their poor form.
"It happens. You look at Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery at Villa - they also go through a tough spell," he said.
"The pressure was on today. You look at the other results - we are bottom all of a sudden, and we have to say 'that's not where we belong'."
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 19 |
|
| 2 | Chelsea | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 | 20 | 18 |
|
| 3 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 13 |
|
| 4 | Arsenal | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 12 |
|
| 5 | Manchester United | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 12 |
|
| 6 | Liverpool | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 9 |
|
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 7 |
|
| 8 | Leicester City | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 5 |
|
| 9 | West Ham United | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 5 |
|
| 10 | Crystal Palace | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 17 | -13 | 5 |
|
| 11 | Aston Villa | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 3 |
|
| 12 | Everton | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 13 | -11 | 3 |
|
Manager: Marc Skinner
Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Manager: Robert de Pauw
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Marc Skinner
Formation: 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Manager: Robert de Pauw
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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