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."

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'."