Aston Villa vs. Manchester United: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League

Manchester United missed the chance to cement their growing status as legitimate contenders in this season's Premier League title race. The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by a resolute Aston Villa team that played half of the second period with 10 men following Gabriel Agbonlahor's controversial dismissal.

The Villans went in front when Christian Benteke thumped in a powerful first-half shot. But United fired back in the second half when Radamel Falcao netted just his second goal in Premier League action.

United's official Twitter feed detailed the move and the finish:

Ashley Young was one of United's best performers, causing consistent havoc down the left flank in manager Louis van Gaal's 3-5-2 system. However, one player who didn't shine was striker Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman was substituted early on in the second half for mercurial playmaker Angel Di Maria.

Here are the full grades for each team:

Starting XI	Rating
Brad Guzan	8.49
Matthew Lowton	6.34
Jores Okore	7.23
Ciaran Clarke	7.16
Ron Vlaar	7.18
Aly Cissokho	6.32
Andreas Weimann	6.02
Carlos Sanchez	6.63
Fabian Delph	7.71
Christian Benteke	7.80
Gabriel Agbonlahor	5.09
Subs	5.96
Charles N'Zogbia	5.96
Leandro Bacuna	6.16

Starting XI	Rating
David de Gea	6.45
Phil Jones	6.92
Michael Carrick	6.96
Jonny Evans	6.73
Antonio Valencia	6.41
Wayne Rooney	7.14
Darren Fletcher	5.95
Ashley Young	7.76
Juan Mata	6.67
Radamel Falcao	7.62
Robin van Persie	6.58
Subs
Angel Di Maria	6.47
James Wilson	6.56
Tyler Blackett	6.09

The grades show United pressed and were most often on the front foot. Villa 'keeper Brad Guzan's fine form was ample proof of that.

The ratings also show how much Van Persie struggled. He had been enjoying a mini revival recently, but he couldn't get on track against a Villa defence led well by Ron Vlaar.

That's got to be the biggest disappointment for Van Gaal. At different times, his team had combinations of Van Persie, Falcao, Wayne Rooney, Di Maria and Juan Mata on the field together.

Yet with all that guile, pace and savvy, the Red Devils still couldn't break Villa down. That lack of verve was the main thing Van Gaal bemoaned in the aftermath, per Manchester Evening News reporter Rob Dawson:

The stalemate naturally frustrated a manager who had seen his team win its six previous league matches. Van Gaal felt United offered more going forward and should've earned more, per the club's official Twitter account:

Van Gaal may not have been too happy with things going forward, but he could justifiably be equally worried about the situation at the back. The Dutch boss stuck with his preferred three-man defensive structure, but once again had to make an early change.

Michael Carrick was initially flanked by Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, but the out-of-position veteran struggled. Van Gaal didn't waste time moving players around during the interval. He swapped midfield terrier Darren Fletcher for Tyler Blackett, a more natural centre-back.

Van Gaal still doesn't have the right formula at the back and it shows. He subbed off Patrick McNair during the first half of the 2-1 win at Southampton and is still searching for answers.

The bottom line is things won't improve until the talent in defence gets better.

Of course, much of Van Gaal's disappointment will come from failing to maximise the man advantage his team enjoyed when Agbonlahor saw red. The incident was the game's flashpoint.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

It was a contentious decision after Agbonlahor reacted to some rough treatment from Young. He collided with Young when both went for the ball.

There really wasn't much to the challenge or the collision. Referee Lee Mason could've penalised either player but deemed Agbonlahor worthy of an instant dismissal.

Naturally, Villa gaffer Paul Lambert was less than impressed by Young's antics and the decision, per Dawson:

Ultimately, though, Lambert will likely be grateful to have earned a point against a team in red-hot form. That point owes a lot to a smart approach to soaking up pressure and breaking at pace.

In particular, substitute Leandro Bacuna caused United fits on the counter. Meanwhile, United's pass masters were swamped amid a midfield led expertly by the tenacious Fabian Delph.

The draw moved Villa above Stoke City into 12th. However, it's United who are left frustrated. Van Gaal's men remain seven points adrift of Manchester City and Chelsea ahead of a congested run of fixtures.