ASTON Villa manager Martin O'Neill felt Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic was fortunate not to be sent off as the two sides fought out a goalless draw at Villa Park.
Villa ended a run of 14 successive defeats against the Red Devils and their share of the spoils lifted them into fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League.
But O'Neill felt Vidic should have been red-carded after a challenge on Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor which ended with the player sprawling in the United penalty box.
That was one of the few talking points of a game of precious few clear-cut chances as United missed out on the chance to close the gap on joint leaders Liverpool and Chelsea.
O'Neill said: "I can understand the concern over whether or not it was a penalty. But it is definitely a foul.
"If we get the foul, the player (Vidic) has to be sent off because it is a goal-scoring opportunity. It is as simple as that.
"I didn't need to look at a TV replay to see that it was a foul - but I did do it and there is no doubt that Vidic fouled Gabby."
Unsurprisingly Sir Alex Ferguson had a different viewpoint of the incident.
He said: "Vidic has got the ball. The crowd can sometimes get you a penalty but the referee couldn't give that one. He gave plenty to them as it was."
Of more concern to Ferguson, was the fact winger Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Tuesdays Champions League game with Villarreal.
The Portuguese star limped out of the game in the closing stages with a leg injury.
Ferguson said: "His leg is in a mess. He is doubtful for Tuesday."
O'Neill felt Villa deserved their share of the spoils which followed on from the 2-0 success at Arsenal last weekend.
He said: "We tried to perform in the same way. We didn't create as many chances as at Arsenal but tried to replicate the play.
"It is very difficult against United. They are great players who can turn games but we stuck at it and deserved something.
"These have been two big games for us after losing to Newcastle and Middlesbrough and will help to give the players great self-belief.
"We have now played the top four sides and have lost only once although we were well beaten at Chelsea.
"It is exceptionally hard to break into the top four but we are aiming for that sort of thing. The players are improving and have a good confidence about themselves."
Ferguson said: "I thought we were the better team apart from a 15-minute spell at half-time when Villa got the ball into our box from free-kicks and corners and caused a lot of problems.
"Apart from that, we weren't in danger. I was pleased with the effort we put in against an aggressive and determined team who defended for their lives.
"Our possession was good and we created the chances. Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park had good chances.
"With the amount of possession we had at the end I thought another chance must come along but they held on."
ends
But O'Neill felt Vidic should have been red-carded after a challenge on Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor which ended with the player sprawling in the United penalty box.
That was one of the few talking points of a game of precious few clear-cut chances as United missed out on the chance to close the gap on joint leaders Liverpool and Chelsea.
O'Neill said: "I can understand the concern over whether or not it was a penalty. But it is definitely a foul.
"If we get the foul, the player (Vidic) has to be sent off because it is a goal-scoring opportunity. It is as simple as that.
"I didn't need to look at a TV replay to see that it was a foul - but I did do it and there is no doubt that Vidic fouled Gabby."
Unsurprisingly Sir Alex Ferguson had a different viewpoint of the incident.
He said: "Vidic has got the ball. The crowd can sometimes get you a penalty but the referee couldn't give that one. He gave plenty to them as it was."
Of more concern to Ferguson, was the fact winger Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Tuesdays Champions League game with Villarreal.
The Portuguese star limped out of the game in the closing stages with a leg injury.
Ferguson said: "His leg is in a mess. He is doubtful for Tuesday."
O'Neill felt Villa deserved their share of the spoils which followed on from the 2-0 success at Arsenal last weekend.
He said: "We tried to perform in the same way. We didn't create as many chances as at Arsenal but tried to replicate the play.
"It is very difficult against United. They are great players who can turn games but we stuck at it and deserved something.
"These have been two big games for us after losing to Newcastle and Middlesbrough and will help to give the players great self-belief.
"We have now played the top four sides and have lost only once although we were well beaten at Chelsea.
"It is exceptionally hard to break into the top four but we are aiming for that sort of thing. The players are improving and have a good confidence about themselves."
Ferguson said: "I thought we were the better team apart from a 15-minute spell at half-time when Villa got the ball into our box from free-kicks and corners and caused a lot of problems.
"Apart from that, we weren't in danger. I was pleased with the effort we put in against an aggressive and determined team who defended for their lives.
"Our possession was good and we created the chances. Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park had good chances.
"With the amount of possession we had at the end I thought another chance must come along but they held on."
ends
Copyright (c) Press Association
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