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• Emery: Villa 'missed some energy' in Man Utd stalemate

  Unai Emery believes Aston Villa "missed some energy" during their goalless draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

  The spoils were shared following an underwhelming 90 minutes at Villa Park, where the hosts recorded their second stalemate in as many Premier League games after last weekend's 2-2 draw at Ipswich Town.

  Villa were aiming to build on their memorable Champions League victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday but only registered a single shot on target courtesy of Youri Tielemans' second-half attempt.

  And Emery believes his side's midweek exploits in Europe took their toll on Sunday.

  "It is not the best result, but it's not the worst," the Villa boss said. "I think a draw is fair.

  "We played the second half much better than the first and, at the end, we were close to winning the match [when Diogo Dalot blocked Jaden Philogene's stoppage-time shot]. We tried to score, but couldn't. 

  "We missed some energy. Maybe it's because we have some players injured, some other players are also still improving."

  It was the first 0-0 draw Villa have played out under Emery at Villa Park since he took over in November 2022. Although they could not achieve the three points, they remain fifth in the Premier League table with 14 points after their opening seven games.

  After opening their Champions League campaign with successive wins, and a Carabao Cup last-16 clash with Crystal Palace coming up later this month, Emery is pleased with the shape his side are in.

  "We are in the process of building a team," he added. "We are managing things better. I am happy. We could be higher in the table, but we are more or less in the top six. I am happy with what we are doing.

  "We are happy in the Champions League and happy, of course, in the Carabao Cup. We're going to play seven matches in the next month. We have to stay competitive like we are now and be demanding."

• Chelsea 'deserved to win', says Maresca

  Enzo Maresca insisted Chelsea deserved to win their home clash with Nottingham Forest despite having to come back from behind.

  The hosts went 1-0 down on 49 minutes when Chris Wood poked home the opener from a free-kick, but Noni Madueke proved Chelsea's saviour just eight minutes later as he fired in the equaliser.

  Forest have now taken points from the two top-four opponents they have faced away from home in the Premier League this season, also getting a historic 1-0 win against league-leaders Liverpool.

  Chelsea's manager, however, feels his side deserved more from the game, which saw a spate of chances in the 13 minutes of stoppage time after James Ward-Prowse had been sent off for Forest.

  "I think we deserved to win," he told BBC MOTD2. "They are a very good team, and we knew they would defend well.

  "It was a tough and tricky game, very different to Brighton. We were patient on the ball and created chances.

  "Their keeper was the best of the game. We created chances and arrived at goal in the way we want to."

  The hosts recorded an expected goals (xG) total of 2.27 compared to their opposition’s 0.85. They also dominated possession, boasting a 66.5% share of the ball.

  Despite winning all their away matches in the Premier League this season, Chelsea have won just once at home, also recording two draws and one defeat.

  Maresca, however, brushed that off when asked if he had concerns.

  "I don't think so. If you analyse the games, I think Crystal Palace was like today - we created and deserved to win. I don't think there is any reason," he responded.

  The game proved a thrilling encounter in the final stages. Robert Sanchez denied both Neco Williams and Jota Silva with fingertip saves, while Matz Sels pulled off good saves to keep out Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku at the other end.

  It left Nuno Espirito Santo pleased with his side's embattled display as they ended up playing 25 minutes with 10 men after Ward-Prowse was awarded a second yellow.

  "The full game was a very good game with both teams trying. We played and created," he said.

  "The second half was very good for the spectators. We controlled the game well. There is no other way to play against big teams. If you don't unite, then it's difficult.

  "We blocked the middle of the park and dealt well with one-v-ones out wide. The game was stretched, we had a good chance and then Chelsea had a good chance. The goalkeepers were great at both ends."

  The visitors face a similar predicament to their hosts, with their away form proving better as they remain unbeaten on their travels.

  In fact, only Frank Clark (59) has picked up more away points as manager of Nottingham Forest in the Premier League than Nuno (19).

  "We don't make any difference in performance at home and away," asserted the Forest boss.

  "We need to assess why we aren't getting results at the City Ground. Away, we are doing really well, but at home, we aren't. The issue is to resolve what is happening at the City Ground."

• Ten Hag insists Man Utd 'all on board together' amid future speculation

  Erik ten Hag insisted he and Manchester United's hierarchy are "all on board together" following the Red Devils' goalless draw with Aston Villa.

  United played out their fourth stalemate in five games across all competitions - losing the other against Tottenham last weekend - as the spoils were shared at Villa Park.

  The Red Devils' tally of eight points, which keeps them 14th in the table, is their lowest after the first seven matches of a Premier League season, with their struggles increasing the pressure on Ten Hag.

  However, as speculation surrounding his future continues to grow, the Dutchman remains calm on the matter, as he focused on the positive aspects of his side's performance.

  When asked if he has spoken to United's board, he told Sky Sports: "We always speak, every week we speak. We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through. It's a long-term process.

  "I think it's the fourth clean sheet this season. You saw we had a very good organisation and togetherness. There was good character and good spirit as a team; determined, resilient.

  "We almost didn't concede a chance. At the end, they had a big chance [Diogo Dalot blocking Jaden Philogene's stoppage-time attempt], but I think it was almost the only chance.

  "We have come through two very tough away games. This is a team, we showed the belief and faith we have."

  However, only 19th-place Southampton (four) have scored fewer goals than United (five) so far, while only in 1972-73 (four) have they ever netted fewer in their first seven matches of a top-flight campaign.

  Ten Hag acknowledged his players must show a greater cutting edge in attack.

  "We have created loads of chances in our seven games, but we have to step up," he added. 

  "We know, at this moment, we have a lack of goals. In that perspective, it's not a good start. That's an area we have to improve."

  Meanwhile, Jonny Evans said he and his team-mates have been affected by the speculation surrounding Ten Hag, but praised the spirit demonstrated by the team.

  "It does affect the players. It's on our minds, too," the defender told BBC Match of the Day.

  "I think the more experience I've got in my career, I've made sure I do everything to be ready and give everything I can to the team.

  "That was the important thing, to show the spirit in the team. Everyone competed as much as they could. That's a pleasing thing to see."