Aston Villa 0 - 0 United

Barclays Premier League

Villa Park, 

Saturday 22 November 2008

Aston Villa 0

Manchester United 0

United failed to close the gap at the top of the Barclays Premier League after being held to a frustrating goalless draw at Aston Villa.

A point may not be the worst result away at the top-four side. It meant the Champions were unable fully to take advantage of slips-up by Liverpool and Chelsea earlier in the day. 

United's only chance of note in the opening quarter of an hour came when Cristiano Ronaldo cut inside and unleashed a half-volley that Brad Friedel did well to palm wide. On a lush playing surface United were playing some coherent football, with Giggs, Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

United failed to carve out any more opening as the game drew to a close and the shares were spoiled, ending Villa's 14-match losing run against Sir Alex's men.

Sir Alex Ferguson talked after the game and said:

"I thought we were the better team apart from a 15-minute spell after half-time when Villa got the ball into our box from a free-kicks and corners and caused a lot of problems. Apart from that, we weren't in danger. I was pleased with the effort we put in against an aggressive and determined team who defended for their lives. With the amount of possession we had at the end I thought another chance must come along but they held on." 

Rio Ferdinand also talked and says that was a missed chance to reach Chelsea and Liverpool. (Here is the Video)

Phelan was dissapointed with a draw at Villa Park. (Here is the Video)

United line-up:

Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo (Anderson 82), Carrick, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Tevez (Nani 71).

Subs not used: Welbeck, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, Evans, Kuszczak.

Attendance: 42,585

Referee: Chris Foy

Man-of-the-Match: Wayne Rooney

Thanks for reading!