Manchester United’s Women’s Super League title hopes took another hit as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by a resolute Aston Villa side at Leigh Sports Village. The Red Devils, aiming to close the gap on league leaders Manchester City, were unable to break down a stubborn Villa defense, extending their winless streak to three games.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, United struggled to find a way past Villa goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who produced a spectacular double save in the first half to deny Gabi Nunes and Jordan Nobbs. The home side’s frustration was evident as boos rang out from sections of the crowd at the final whistle.
The draw leaves United in fifth place, level on points with fourth-placed Arsenal, but with a game in hand. Meanwhile, Aston Villa, who had started the day at the bottom of the table, earned a valuable point, moving them up to 11th position.
Villa, who had taken just two points from their first six fixtures and lost all three previous away matches, displayed a newfound determination and resilience throughout the game. Their defensive organization and counter-attacking threat kept United at bay.
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner expressed his disappointment with his team’s performance, particularly in the first half, highlighting their lack of aggression and compactness. He emphasized the need for his team to learn from the experience and be more assertive in their home matches.
Aston Villa boss Robert de Pauw, despite the draw, was proud of his team’s performance, noting their commitment and fight throughout the game. He acknowledged that Villa had created several good chances in the first half but were unable to capitalize on them. De Pauw expressed his confidence that his team, having proven their ability to compete against top sides, will eventually start to reap the rewards of their efforts.
Manchester United will look to bounce back from this setback when they travel to Leicester City next in the Women’s Super League on November 17. They then face Everton in the Women’s League Cup three days later. Aston Villa, meanwhile, host Crystal Palace in the Women’s Super League on November 17 before visiting Tottenham in the Women’s League Cup a week later.
The draw highlights the competitive nature of the Women’s Super League this season, with several teams vying for a top-four finish and a spot in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
