The second-half performance was better, the manager said. The fans did not agree.
Having booed their team off at the interval, they did so again after the final whistle.
It was not the fact they lost to Manchester United; having won one of their last 32 league games against Sir Alex Ferguson's side, they are all too accustomed to that. It was the way they did not even attempt to beat them.
Alex McLeish and Aston Villa was always an uneasy alliance. For the Scot, it now seems distinctly uncomfortable.
McLeish had the initial impediment of being a defector from across town, the first Birmingham City manager to trade St Andrew's for Villa Park. It meant he was not afforded a rapturous reception at first. But his past matters most because of his policies.
At the moment, McLeish is trying to purvey Birmingham's brand of football at Aston Villa. It is an approach that ignores the history and expectations of the region's traditional power.
The working men's club could get by on a diet of simple fare, but the aristocrats preferred a feast of flowing football.
At Villa, like West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, results are only part of the consideration. Style matters. Excitement is expected. An understanding of the club's traditions is essential.
But tactically, McLeish is a manager of limited ambition. It is harsh to suggest that he actually tries to draw games 0-0, but that is the impression sometimes given.
A fear of losing can outweigh the will to win. Such safety-first instincts can have a cost: Birmingham only lost 15 league games last season but were still relegated. Victories were too infrequent, draws all too regular.
On Saturday, the isolated striker Darren Bent was seemingly tasked with winning flick-ons for himself, an impossible job.
In one respect, Villa's impotence was epitomised when Emile Heskey's shot went out for a throw (some would simplify that and say it summed up Heskey). But at least it was a shot; there were precious few others.
They have not scored for a month since Bent's winner against Norwich City and among their attacking players, only the rejuvenated Gabriel Agbonlahor appears to be benefiting from McLeish's appointment.
In contrast, defenders such as Richard Dunne, James Collins and Stephen Warnock all appreciate the Scot; as his time at Birmingham shows, he is a connoisseur of clean sheets.
But a manager who favours graft over craft is selecting sides that lack invention.
The nadir was at Tottenham when, in a dire display, the midfield was made up of a full-back, two holding players and an industrious, but non-scoring, striker (Heskey again).
In part, it can be attributed to lesser resources as Villa adapt to their own era of austerity. But only in part; while Stewart Downing and Ashley Young left, the creative contingent have been marginalised or unimpressive.
Charles N'Zogbia, the biggest summer signing, has been underwhelming and was omitted against United after failing to report for a treatment session; off-field problems mean Barry Bannan, who has shown glimpses of his ability, has only had a bit-part role; Marc Albrighton, an enterprising arrival on the scene last season, has been limited to one start; and Stephen Ireland has barely featured more. Collectively, it suggests imaginative players are not trusted.
Nor, at a club with an admirable youth system, has there been much scope for emerging talents.
McLeish's preference is for the tried and trusted but caution has not given him a platform for progress. It could have done: Villa's early-season fixtures represented a soft landing.
December, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea as well as United, is a truer trial. While Villa are in the top half of the table now, the likelihood is that they will not remain there.
With rumblings of discontent in the stands, McLeish will require a rethink to retain his position in the long term.
As Steve Bruce discovered at Sunderland, once the fans are implacably opposed to a manager, there is no way back. Hard-earned stalemates will not suffice, nor will defeats where, if the scoreline is respectable, there is an unwillingness to commit players forward to fashion a chance.
As one supporter's blog was simply entitled: "You don't play that kind of football at a club like Aston Villa."
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Sometimes players' reputations are enhanced by their absence. The importance of Jonas Gutierrez to Newcastle was apparent with his performances this season but was underlined by his suspension on Saturday.
Lacking the cover perhaps the hardest-working winger in the division provides, the previously impressive left-back Ryan Taylor was left exposed against Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge.
The right-sided forward had eight shots during the game, eventually scoring the second goal in his side's 3-0 win.
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It was to prove a doubly damaging day for Newcastle. Steven Taylor, the centre-back who was so defiant at Old Trafford seven days earlier, is likely to miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury.
It means, for the first time this season, there will be a change in Alan Pardew's back four and, with his natural deputy Mike Williamson also out, could illustrate the thinness of their squad.
And that, in turn, shows how well they have done.
sports@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
Mountain%20Boy
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
If you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
The hotels
Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 523hp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh469,000
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
WITHIN%20SAND
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Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Play-off fixtures
Two-legged ties to be played November 9-11 and November 12-14
- Northern Ireland v Switzerland
- Croatia v Greece
- Denmark v Ireland
- Sweden v Italy
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
