If the midweek display against Bayern Munich was a version of Aston Villa from our wildest dreams, this was a game and an opposition to temper our expectations gently. This was not a classic, but it’s a measure of how far we’ve come that a point against 13-time Premier League champions might feel like an opportunity missed.

On a drizzly, grey afternoon, Villa were stop-start against an Erik Ten Hag team that was likely wondering if their boss had a future this side of the international break. United are a confused outfit these days and look every bit like a side that’s 14th in the league. They wasted time at every opportunity, lacked any obvious tactical game plan and their stand-out player was 36-year-old Jonny Evans. It’s no understatement that this is the poorest Manchester United in modern memory.
Villa were visibly feeling the effects physically and mentally of overcoming Bayern. It was a full-on 90 minutes midweek that had taken its toll and there were injuries to Ramsey and Onana to contend with too. Leon Bailey was again prematurely recalled but still looks far short of match sharpness following a recent layoff. It was another big blow to see Ezri Konsa withdraw, but positive to see Diego Carlos’ recent uptick in form continue as his replacement.

United’s best chance was a freekick from the mostly quiet Fernandes which thudded against the bar in the second half. Substitute Antony could only curl the rebound wide...