ASTON VILLA should give their fans a refund after making them watch the “worst game in Premier League history“.
That’s according to Richard Keys who was far from happy after sitting through the goalless draw with Manchester United.
Controversial former Sky presenter Keys was hosting coverage of the Villa Park snoozefest for Qatar-based beIN SPORTS.
Villa had earned a sensational Champions League win over German heavyweights Bayern Munich in midweek.
But Unai Emery’s side looked leggy a United team desperate to avoid defeat, with boss Erik ten Hag on the brink of the sack.
After watching the 0-0 draw almost totally devoid of goalmouth action, Keys was far from impressed.
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And he suggested fans should even be compensated for being subjected to the bore draw.
Immediately after full-time, Keys told his viewers: “I’ve watched every Premier League game one for or another since 1992… and that is the worst I’ve ever seen.
“Villa should give those fans their money back.”
Keys, who has enjoyed a 48-year career as a sports broadcaster, then doubled down on his assertion on X.
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Keys tweeted: “I have watched every PL game since 1992 in one form or another – this one might just be the worst I’ve ever seen.”
United came close to snatching a victory when Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick rattled Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s crossbar.
The Villans, though, were left fuming when Marcus Rashford escaped a red card following a rough challenge on Leon Bailey.
This result extended the Red Devils’ winless streak to five games across all competitions.
It also marked the Manchester giants’ worst start to a Premier League season with only eight points in the first seven matches.
Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let down
MANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.
United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.
ANDRE ONANA – 7
Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.
JONNY EVANS – 9
Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7
Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.
Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here!
Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 6
Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.
SUBS
MATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.
VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.
ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.
CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
