MANCHESTER UNITED have gone LEVEL on points with Liverpool but remain second in the Premier League on goal difference after a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
Anthony Martial’s header from Aaron Wan Bissaka’s cross has given United the lead before Bertrand Traore got the leveller after half time.
Then Bruno scored from the spot after Paul Pogba was fouled inside the box.
Stay up to date with all the action from Old Trafford in our live blog…
GOODNIGHT FROM OLD TRAFFORD
A new year, but Manchester United have begun 2021 just how they finished 2020 – by fortuitously beating a West Midlands club at Old Trafford.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will believe that good luck is earned by hard work, and there can be no faulting the effort that has gone in to United’s current unbeaten run of ten matches in which they have won eight.
Second-place United are now locked together with Liverpool on 33 points at the top of the table, trailing their old foes on goal difference only after 16 games each.
The Red Devils go to Burnley next while Jurgen Klopp’s team travel to Southampton before the pair come together for a north-west derby on January 17. A title six-pointer? Perhaps. A fierce rivalry with even more on the line than usual? Certainly.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, may be downhearted by tonight’s result, but can take heart from yet another good performance in what has so far been a mightily impressive season.
When they last lost to United five months ago, they were staring an immediate return to the Championship in the face. Now they are eyeing up the prospect of European football returning to Villa Park next season.
There’s more live Premier League football to come tomorrow plus an Old Firm derby north of the border so be sure to tune in. Until then, thanks for being with us and goodnight.
SMITH RUES SPOTKICK DECISION
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith believes his side have been undone tonight by a penalty that should never have been, and is unsure as to why referee Michael Oliver wasn’t sent to consult the pitchside monitors.
OLE AT THE WHEEL
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted his delight at another three points, but admits his team need be more streetwise in how they finish games when in front.
It’s a fantastic block that [Eric Bailly] makes at the end. I didn’t enjoy the last ten minutes because we should have seen the game out in a better way. It felt like a cup final or the last game of the season. We need to learn to play out games better when we’re in the lead.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
GREALISH GROUNDED
Imagine how many penalties the midfielder would win if he did move to Old Trafford…
PERSPECTIVE
Aston Villa fans will be disappointed that they failed to take anything this evening, eventually losing out to a disputed penalty, but they should be delighted by the massive strides they have taken under Dean Smith.
It just shows what sticking with a manager under pressure can achieve.
TOP OF THE TABLE
Another three points take Manchester United joint top of the Premier League, and they now trail the champions – and fiercest rivals – only on goal difference.
KING ERIC
United defender Eric Bailly earns the congratulations of his teammates after his last second block; Old Trafford heroics worthy of a certain French namesake.
FT: MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
United win again, but they were once again more than matched by a team from the West Midlands. Bruno Fernandes netted the winner from the penalty spot after Bertrand Traore had cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener. The result sends the Red Devils joint top of the Premier League.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER AT OLD TRAFFORD!
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
90+6. Big chance for Davis! What a block from Bailly!
The defender denies Villa’s substitute with the last kick of the game as the forward looked prime to level from ten yards out.
What a finish to the match!
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
90+5. Rashford wants to go for the corner flag, but Pogba instead goes hunting for a third goal and loses possession….
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
90+4. The corner is directed to Watkins at the far post, but the striker is unable to make a connection under pressure from Pogba.
Meanwhile, United make another time-consuming swap with Axel Tuanzebe on for Fred.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
90+3. Cash from long range! Good save from De Gea!
Villa are piling on the pressure and have another corner.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
90+1. Into the first of five added minutes, and James passes up the opportunity to put this game to bed by failing to play in his teammate on the counter.
These sides have scored nine goals in stoppage time between them this season.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
90. The bookings keep on coming for Manchester United players. This time it’s Matic cautioned for kicking over Grealish.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
89. Luke Shaw gets his customary yellow card.
The left-back has had an otherwise impressive evening.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
88. That said, James does well here to battle back and win a free-kick from Cash.
The Aston Villa right-back has been his side’s biggest creative threat in the past ten minutes, and James’ pace will be a good match for him in the final stages.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
86. Bruno Fernandes doesn’t look happy as his number goes up. The Portuguese is replaced by Daniel James which is more a ploy to eat up a few seconds rather than a critique of Fernandes’ performance.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
84. Another sub for the visitors as forward Keinan Davis is thrown on for Anwar El Ghazi.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
83. It’s a brilliant delivery from Cash, straight on to the head of Mings, who heads wide.
The Aston Villa defender is all over the back of his England colleague, Maguire, but there’s no whistle and it has to go down as big chance missed.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
81. It’s all a little stop-start at the moment with Michael Oliver’s whistle getting plenty of action.
Villa failed to make he most of their set–piece opportunities in the first half, but they have well-placed free-kick on the right that Cash is standing over.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
78. A first change for Villa. Dean Smith replaces his side’s goalscorer, Bertrand Traore, with youngster Jacob Ramsey.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
77. Two stunning saves in quick succession from Martinez!
The first sees him tip over Fernandes’ excellent long-range strike, and then he recovers to do almost exactly the same to Rashford seconds later.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
75. Grealish gets his cross wrong as he tries to pick out El Ghazi at the far post.
Meanwhile, if you’re wondering – and I know you are – Manchester United have been awarded 27 penalties since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game in charge, seven more than any other Premier League team.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
73. Pogba! How did he miss?!
Martial and Shaw combine on the left before the full-back squares into the path of United’s French midfielder.
Pogba, brilliant so far this evening, opens up his body and looks certain to slot home, only to somehow shoot wide from ten yards.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
