Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

Aston Villa played out a goalless draw with Manchester United to move unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions.

Bruno Fernandes came closest to breaking the stalemate as his second-half free-kick rattled the crossbar, while Emi Martínez tipped Marcus Rashford’s strike on to the woodwork.

But clear-cut goalscoring opportunities were limited at Villa Park, with Unai Emery’s side now having won six and drawn two of their last eight.

The Villans went into the encounter having won just two of their previous 26 meetings with United and one of their last 25 at Villa Park stretching back to the turn of the century, with that coming in Emery’s first match in charge.

But the two sides could not be separated in an evenly-balanced encounter heading into the October international period, Jaden Philogene denied by Diogo Dalot’s injury-time block.

Matty Cash, Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey were named in Villa’s starting XI as Emery made three changes from Wednesday’s memorable 1-0 triumph over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

Diego Carlos was named among the substitutes, while injured pair Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey were not included in the matchday 20.

Villa went into the clash having enjoyed their best start to a Premier League season since 2008/09, collecting 13 points from their opening six matches.

The visitors were first to threaten as Villa captain Martínez, so impressive in midweek, parried away Rashford’s fierce strike from inside the penalty area.

Morgan Rogers then found the side-netting at the other end, before the hosts suffered a setback as Ezri Konsa was forced off due to injury after just 12 minutes, replaced by Carlos.

Philogene flashed an effort off target from distance as clear-cut opportunities dried up and the encounter entered half-time goalless.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, Martínez denying Rashford with a fingertip save to push his drilled effort on to the top of the crossbar and away to safety.

Andre Onana was called into action in the 56^th minute to parry Youri Tielemans’ 20-yard strike from a well-worked corner, before Ollie Watkins fizzed a shot narrowly over the crossbar.

Manager Emery turned to Jhon Durán just after the hour mark but it was United who went closest to opening the scoring in the 68^th minute as Fernandes’ 25-yard free-kick rebounded off the crossbar.

Martínez dived to his right to collect Alejandro Garnacho’s curling effort while Ian Maatsen was introduced off the bench in the latter stages.

Both sides continued to search for a late winner and Villa almost snatched it in added time when Philogene’s effort was blocked by the back of Dalot as the encounter finished all square.