Regardless of what the managers said prior to this evening's encounter it was still being considered a dress rehearsal for the Carling Cup Final.
This would give the both managers a last close-up of each other before the big day. The last thing either team wanted was to be comprehensively beaten or outplayed.
The match
With Emile Heskey failing to shake off injury, Martin O'Neill decided to revert back to 4-5-1 with Fabian Delph recalled to the midfield.
Villa started strongly and Stewart Downing had an early attempt. However, his shot was wayward with the corner flag more in danger than the goal!
Carlos Cuellar almost gave Villa an early lead with a flick backwards with his head, but the ball flew agonisingly wide.
The stand-in right back was not to be denied and on 19 minutes gave Villa a deserved lead. The United defence failed to clear a Stewart Downing cross and Cuellar was able to loop his header over Van der Sar.
We were looking good and with Delph's energy in the centre there was no reason why we could not push on. Our opponents were struggling to gain any momentum against our 5-man midfield.
Unfortunately we could not hold our lead, only lasted for a grand total of 4 minutes. Ryan Giggs' cross-come-shot was inadvertently diverted into his own net by James Collins.
Having surrendered our lead so soon it did not concern me too much, we were still looking the better side.
Wes Brown and Jonathan Evans were particularly dirty all night and the latter was booked for a nasty late challenge on Stiliyan Petrov. Evans is nothing short of a thug and should not be enjoying the lavishing lifestyle of a Premier League footballer.
Petrov was again on the ground minutes later when a cynical dangerous two-footed challenge by Nani felled the Villa skipper. Referee Peter Walton had no choice but to send to Nani to the stands.
Once again the Manchester United arrogance and petulance showed, protesting about the dismissal thinking they are above the rules. No 'ifs' or 'buts', he had to go.
It was hoped that the dismissal would aid Villa's push for a first home league win against United since August 1995, but actually had the appositive effect as the match wore on.
The visitors performed better with one less player. Brad Friedel saved well from Michael Carrick and was quick out of his area to deny Wayne Rooney.
Villa had a penalty claim turned down when an Ashley Young free-kick seemed to strike Rooney on the arm.
At half-time there was a sense of optimism amongst the home supporters that we could push on and record a moral-boosting win.
Antonio Valencia was brought on for Paul Scholes at the interval. I was personally relieved as Scholes has a pretty good record scoring at Villa Park.
United started the brighter after the break with efforts from Darren Fletcher and Valencia both off target.
Our first chance in the second half took 15 minutes to come. James Milner tested Van der Sar with a left-footed strike after turning his defender. Unfortunately this was our best effort of the half.
On 58 minutes John Carew was brought on for Delph. Although we needed Carew on the pitch to be more direct, Delph was not the player to be withdrawn. Both Milner and Downing were having poor matches and a disgruntled Holte End voiced its disapproval of the former Leeds youngster being replaced.
Villa just could on get into any rhythm in the second period. Richard Dunne, Collins and Cuellar surged forward on occasions to inject life into a lack-lustre Villa attack.
Luke Young had another excellent match covering at left back, with Dunne and Cuellar making important last-ditch blocks and interceptions to keep the match level.
Worryingly Petrov was substituted due to injury, possibly a thigh injury. Steve Sidwell was his replacement.
The visitors brought on Dimitar Berbatov in an attempt to steal the full points but Villa defended well, determined not to lose the match.
Rooney was a constant menace all night and very dangerous. United without the England forward would be a shell of a team without him.
It was disappointing to draw the match having had an extra player for over an hour but a draw against Manchester United even with 10 men is still a good result.
The Legend's Man of the Match: Carlos Cuellar - good goal and very solid at the back. Tried to inject urgency into Villa's attack.
Our Carling Cup Final date is edging closer. No clues were given away to our opponents tonight and no-one has the upper-hand. Up the Villa.
Match lineups, scorers, etc.
