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Aston Villa being disappointed with a point against Manchester United is proof of how times have changed in the Premier League.

When Sir Alex Ferguson was dominating the Premier League, taking a point over both fixtures against Manchester United was seen as a plus because they were blowing nearly every team away.

But now clubs like Aston Villa are the better side, as they have proved since Unai Emery took charge and during the early stages of the new season.

Villa beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League during the lead-up to this match, so all the team’s energy and focus was on that.

As a result, Ian Wright feels Villa were ‘tired’ and there was always going to be ‘some fallout’ from that Champions League rollercoaster, as he told Premier League Productions (07/10/24 at 1:40 pm).

That was Villa recording a drab goalless draw against Manchester United, who are sitting 14th in the Premier League table after seven matches.

It’s certainly dropped points from those in the Midlands and another missed opportunity for the team to return back into the top four.

Last season, everyone saw Villa win an incredible 15 home games in a row, with Arsenal and Manchester City all falling at Villa Park.

That’s why Wright was keen to state that ‘anyone takes a point from Villa’ now, with only Arsenal winning in B6 this season and that was after Ollie Watkins missed two glorious chances to score.

Manchester United taking a point at Villa Park

“I think coming off the week Villa has had and the unbelievable Bayern Munich performance, there was going to be a little of something, in respect of emotion, there was going to be some fallout,” said Wright.

“I think they looked a little bit tired. Their final ball wasn’t great in the game. From Manchester United’s point of view, you have to say, against a Villa side, I think anyone takes a point from Villa.

“The only thing you can take from it, even though their manager is under a hell of a lot of pressure, is that a point at Villa now you just have to take it.”

Aston Villa’s injured players returning

There have been a lot of niggling injuries for Aston Villa in recent months, but hopefully, this international break will sort all of that out.

Matty Cash started against Manchester United after returning from injury, whilst Leon Bailey doesn’t seem to be playing at 100%.

READ MORE: Richard Keys drops truth bombs amid controversy after Aston Villa’s draw v Manchester United

Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings are back on the pitch and fans are expected to see them return to the first-team squad in the coming weeks.

Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey missed the Manchester United game after starting against Bayern, whilst captain John McGinn is also expected to be back after the international break.

Ezri Konsa also went off against Manchester United and he has since pulled out of the England squad, hopefully, he can rest it off and return as soon as possible.