Striker Villa hit the underside of the bar with only David de Gea to beat before the goalkeeper made a reaction save from Nicola Zigic's point-blank header and then tipped over another effort.

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Impressive teenage midfielder Jay Spearing was involved in their two other best attacking moves of the half, firstly forcing keeper Krul into a low save with a 25-yard shot and then later provided a superb pin-point cross from the right which Lucas headed straight at the United keeper from 10 yards out.

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