Three points from seven games is well below what most expected from Aston Villa, even as they adjust to life under new manager Robert de Pauw.
Their season so far has been littered with missed opportunities for that maiden win, and a few below-par performances.
That win is still elusive, but their performance at Leigh Sports Village shows that there is some hope and direction for Villa under de Pauw.
They pressed United high, forcing defensive errors and misplaced passes all through the first half.
And after the break they sat deeper, effectively keeping Marc Skinner’s team to half-chances and snap shots.
Villa have a lot of catching up to do this season already, but the groundwork under de Pauw seems to be there.
