It’s fair to say things haven’t gone as smoothly as usual for United lately. On the brink in the Champions League, out of the Carling Cup, without a win in four and – at the time of kick-off – seven points behind Manchester City and now also in third behind Tottenham. Worse, they haven’t scored twice in a league game since the 2-0 win over Norwich on 1 October.

It’s fair to say they could do with a victory here. They are, however, playing a Villa team who haven’t exactly produced the kind of diligent defending usually expected of an Alec McLeish team either. SOmething’s going to give today.

The teams:

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Herd, Jenas, Bannan, Albrighton, Agbonlahor, Bent.

Subs: Ireland, Delph, Heskey, Petrov, Clark, Guzan, Cuellar

Manchester United: Lindegaard, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Jones, Young, Rooney, Hernandez.

Subs: De Gea, Evans, Giggs, Park, Welbeck, Fletcher, Valencia

Ryan Giggs with his head poignantly down as Villa Park applauds Gary Speed.

And we’re off.

Slow start at Villa Park.

Hernandez has twisted his ankle as on the turf writhing in agony and signalling for the bench. Not good for United.

Hernandez being stretchered off now, with Valencia readying himself.

And Valencia replaces Hernandez who had his hands on his head.

Chance for United, corner finds Vidic who heads down to Smalling a few yards out. The defender tries to turn and shoot but it’s well blocked.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

Nani crosses for Phil Jones to volley in and get his first senior goal. United had upped it a little before the goal.

A tepid game this, which has been typical of both sides of late.

Jones getting forward a lot. He’s hungry for goals after opening his senior account.

Ooooh. Valencia with a rasper there from 35 yards just over the bar.

Bit of a Father Ted sheep moment in the crowd after that Valencia shot. “F**ken hell…”

Not good for Ireland. Shay Given going off for Villa after sliding to clear. Looks like he’s hamstring gone.

Villa are awful to watch.

Ashley Young miscontrols there. He’s dropped off a fair bit after a dynamic start to the season.

Half-time: very dull stuff.

Seems it’s extreme to extreme for United at the moment. Win but play tepidly, drop points but play engagingly.

Villa, on the other hand, have just been dull full-stop. If Agbonlahor isn’t firing then they really don’t offer much at all. Look very like Birmingham for most of the last two years…without the defence.

And the second half begins at Villa Park.

Agbonlahor – of course – adds a bit of energy at last to Villa, breaking down to left… but United clear.

United probing impressively enough over the last few minutes, all of Rooney, Nani and Valencia showing nice touches. Game still largely in stasis though.

Another bad injury today: Jenas floored for a good four minutes there and going off on a stretcher.

Oh, should have been 1-1 there! Dunne powers a header from a corner which is narrowly wide and Heskey heads over.

Young tried to curl one around but Guzman saves. Giggs teed up Young rather than shooting himself. Still hasn’t scored his “goal for the season”, the Welshman.

Welbeck coming on. Another player who’s dropped off after a good start to the season.

Rooney drives over after a one-two with Carrick. United completely strolling now.

Goal disallowed for United as Rooney breaks and releases Welbeck to finish. Lovely goal but just offside.

FULL-TIME: Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

United revert to recent type and claim a dull 1-0 win after three games of thrilling football which yielded nothing. Villa attempted something of a late rally but their lack of any edge reflected their season as a whole. McLeish has work to do.