Fergie plays down stalemate

Which teams will be going in to the weekend smiling? Predict the results in Midweek 10 and you could have something to smile about too!

Sir Alex Ferguson refused to be too downbeat despite Manchester United failing to close the gap on the league leaders after being held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa.

The Red Devils had the advantage of knowing their main title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool had drawn with Newcastle United and Fulham respectively earlier in the day, while Arsenal had lost at Manchester City.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON

But despite receiving the psychological boost in the build-up to their Saturday evening kick-off at Villa Park, United were unable to close the nine-point gap to the leaders.

"It was an opportunity for us to edge closer to the front two," admitted Ferguson.

"But in the context of the actual competitive nature of the game, I don't think we can say it was a bad day for us.

"We didn't make enough of our own chances. It's a pity we didn't take them because it would have been a good day for us."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has backed a rapidly-improving Villa side to break the stranglehold the big-four currently have on the Premier League.

He added: "You have seen the fighting qualities of Aston Villa today. You can't rule them out of getting into that top four and staying there.

"They are a very organised team now and Martin O'Neill has done a terrific job with them."

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