Ten-man Aston Villa ended Manchester United’s six-game winning run with a hard-earned draw at Villa Park.
United dominated possession but fell behind to Christian Benteke’s superb left-foot strike before Radamel Falcao headed them level after the break.
Gabriel Agbonlahor was dismissed for a heavy tackle on Ashley Young, prompting United pressure and Michael Carrick’s header was cleared off the line.
They could not force a winner and sit seven points behind leaders Chelsea.
The Blues could extend that lead if they win their game in hand at Stoke on Monday and United will look back at a timid first-half display as costly.
Manager Louis van Gaal asked his side to be better with ball before kick-off and they obliged with 76 percent of possession in the opening half an hour.
But against a Villa side without seven players because of injury or suspension, their dominance did not lead to clear-cut chances early on and they fell behind to Benteke’s clinical finish.
He collected Fabian Delph’s long free-kick to pull down inside the box, create space and fire into the top corner, giving fans hope of a first home win over United since 1995.
Villa’s record is abysmal against the Red Devils, with just one win in 38 league outings and they will look to a smart David De Gea save from Benteke’s early second-half header as a pivotal moment.
From there on, United – operating a 3-4-3 system with Wayne Rooney in midfield – looked more probing and after Juan Mata and Robin van Persie were denied by keeper Brad Guzan, Falcao broke through.
His second goal for United arrived on his fourth league start and his header from Young’s cross showcased the predator-like finishing he became so sought after for at Atletico Madrid.
In addition to earning a point, he completed 93% of his passes on the day and played a full 90 minutes for the first time but could not serve up a winner.
Lambert leapt from his bench in protest when Agbonlahor was shown a red card for a heavy tackle on his former team-mate Young but the Villa boss will be delighted with the resilience his side showed thereafter.
Villa are the lowest-scoring side in England’s top four divisions but defended admirably late on to move 12th in the table.
In the circumstances, they will likely be thrilled with a point, but United have now not lost in 19 games at Villa Park – the longest unbeaten away run in any fixture in top-flight history.
Carrick – again used in central defence – glanced a header goalwards from a corner but saw Jores Okore hook his effort clear and though Angel Di Maria was introduced from the bench, added cutting edge failed to materialise.
James Wilson also appeared from the bench and tested Guzan late on but Villa held out for a first point against United since 2010.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert: “We highlighted at the beginning we were down to bare bones in a system we weren’t used to playing but I thought we looked great.
“I didn’t think it was a sending off to be fair. Ashley Young has said to Brad Guzan that he made the foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor. That was not a sending off, everyone in the ground saw that.
“We changed the way we played, our passing was a lot better and we always have a threat up front. Look at the team, no Cleverley, Hutton, seven of them, a fantastic point.”
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