Sven-Goran Eriksson was given a taste of what might have been when he watched Ryan Giggs produce his wizardry in a goalless first half for Manchester United against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

After playing for England schoolboys under the name of Ryan Wilson, Giggs opted for Wales and how the new national coach will be rueing that decision after this display.

Giggs caused Aston Villa all sorts of problems with his mazy runs down the left and of the England contingent on show, David James shone brightest by making a couple of decent saves.

Eriksson's hopes of watching David Beckham were also dashed before kick-off when the England skipper was missing from the United line-up.

In a surprise move, Beckham was not even on the bench and instead Jonathan Greening started on the right wing.

Despite Beckham's absence there was still plenty of English talent on show for the new national coach and Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Teddy Sheringham began for United.

The in-form Paul Merson was handed a great chance to impress the watching Eriksson and he started for Aston Villa along with fellow England hopefuls James, Gareth Barry and Lee Hendrie.

Villa also gave a debut to record £9.5million striker Juan Pablo Angel, while the out-of-favour David Ginola was on the bench once again.

Dwight Yorke also had to make do with a place among the substitutes as Sheringham continued up front alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

History certainly favoured runaway league leaders United, who had won 12 of their last 15 Premiership games, and Villa's last win at Old Trafford was back in November 1983.

Solskjaer produced the first effort of the match with a drive, which wassaved by James, and Villa boss John Gregory was none too happy with referee Mike Riley because the shot came while George Boateng was waiting to return to the action after going off injured.

As expected, United were doing most of the attacking, with Giggs inrampant form, and Solskjaer went close again with a shot, which was deflected for a corner.

Sheringham should have opened the scoring when James touched a cross to the United striker, but his shot was scrambled away by Villa.

Former United striker Dion Dublin threatened to muster Villa's first shot on goal only for Jaap Stam, playing his first match at Old Trafford since September 9, to block his effort.

Merson did better when he pounced on Fabien Barthez's weak kick and advanced on goal before chipping a right-foot shot just wide.

Giggs was causing Villa problems with his runs down the left and he won a corner, which the visitors managed to clear at the second attempt.

The tempo slackened midway through the first half after Villa had managed to weather United's initial surge.

Play was halted briefly when Butt needed treatment after team-mate Stam headed him in the back of the head and the United midfielder was soon back on his feet.

Barthez did well to punch clear Alan Wright's testing centre under pressure from the considerable presence of Dublin.

Villa were struggling to contain Giggs and Steve Staunton received a stern ticking off from Riley for fouling the winger as he geared up for another run at the Midlanders' defence.

As half-time approached, the champions attempted to pick up the pace again, but they found Villa's massed ranks at the back in no mood to give way.

At the other end, Angel had yet to do anything to come close to justifying his £9.5million transfer fee.

Riley finally ran out of patience with Villa and Boateng was booked foranother foul on Giggs on the left.

Giggs swung in the free-kick and Greening blazed high and wide at the back post.