MANCHESTER UNITED have secured a vital win in their hunt for Champions League football with a 1-0 victory over Aston Vila.
Captain fantastic Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal of the game to beat high-flying Villa.
- Result: Man Utd 1 Aston Villa 0
- Man Utd Xl: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Sancho, Sabitzer, Fernandes; Rashford
- Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; McGinn, Luiz, Dendoncker, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins
FREE SPINS FOR BONUSES FOR UK PLAYERS IN 2023: GET THE BEST FREE SPIN OFFERS
Follow ALL the live action from Old Trafford below…
That’s all from Manchester
Manchester United beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ winner.
United sealed the win in the first half after 39 minutes and it all started with a clever header by Casemiro, who released an unmarked Marcus Rashford down the left.
Rashford attempted a shot from a tight angle that Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved but couldn’t hold on to the ball.
That set the Red Devils’ captain Fernandes up down the right from where he opened the scoring with a wonderful shot.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great evening!
Credit: AFP Bruno Fernandes reacts
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes admitted his team could have scored more goals against Aston Villa.
Fernandes netted the winner but United missed a raft of chances, especially in the first half.
The playmaker said: “It’s really important for us to get top four and then we have to think about winning a trophy so we have to find the energy and aim for the top four and the FA Cup.
“We did what we were trained to do, we could have scored more goals but we are happy with the 1-0 and the three points.”
Credit: Getty Casemiro stands out
Manchester United star Casemiro stood out once more with a dominant performance in midfield.
The midfielder showed great passing skills, his marking was on point and he even led a few attacks.
The Brazil international created the winner with his clever header that sent Marcus Rashford down the left before his assist.
The 31-year-old also hit the crossbar in the first half and as the heat map below shows he covered pretty much every inch of the pitch.
Updated Premier League table
Manchester United remain fourth in the Premier League table with two points separating them from third place after Newcastle beat Southampton 3-1 at St James’ Park.
Aston Villa also remain sixth but could drop to seventh if Liverpool beat Tottenham later on.
Villa are now nine points behind the top four, which leads to Champions League qualification.
More below:
Man Utd vs Aston Villa Stats
Manchester United dominated 57 per cent of possession against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
United registered a total of 14 shots, six of which were on target.
Villa, on the other hand, produced seven shots but only one of them was on target.
More below:
FT: Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Manchester United defeated Aston Villa at Old Trafford thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ winner.
United sealed the victory in the first half after 39 minutes and it all started with a clever header by Casemiro, who released an unmarked Marcus Rashford down the left.
Rashford attempted a shot from a tight angle that Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved but couldn’t hold on to.
That set the Red Devils’ captain Fernandes up down the right from where he opened the scoring with a wonderful finish.
Credit: Getty FT: Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Peep!
That’s full-time in Manchester!!!
90+6 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Nothing comes of the set-piece as Luiz’s cross is headed away and a shot by Chambers is blocked.
Malacia was booked in the build-up for a tactical foul on Traore that led to the set-piece.
90+5 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Villa get a set-piece in dangerous position close to the area.
This will be the visitors’ last chance.
90+4 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Man utd’s Antony escapes a red card after fouling Villa’s Chambers from behind in frustration.
Referee ignores it for some reason even though the winger bumped into the defender soon after.
The ex-Arsenal ace kept his composure in an admirable manner.
90+3 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Chance!
Man Utd come close with Antony played down the left by Martial but the winger’s weak shot is comfortably saved by Villa keeper Martinez.
90 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Four more minutes of stoppage time to go.
Aston Villa are running out of steam…
87 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Yellow card
And we have the first booking of the match with Man Utd ace Fred going to the book for time wasting.
86 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Substitution
Another double change by Man Utd boss Ten Hag as Maguire and Martial come on for Sabitzer and Rashford respectively.
85 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Chance!
Aston Villa ace Luiz delivers a wonderful corner-kick from the left and creates a dangerous situation.
Konsa gets the ball from a promising position but can’t finish.
83 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Man Utd boss Ten hag is giving Maguire some instructions on the bench.
Looks like the Dutch tactician has opted to protect the lead by reinforcing his defence.
81 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
What a chance!
Aston Villa come just a whisker away from an equaliser!
Watkins tries a shot from inside the box but it’s blocked by Sabitzer and Shaw.
Luiz then produces a pwoerful shot of his own but it is cleared off the line by Lindelof’s header.
Wouldn’t have mattered anyway as Watkins was caught offside.
80 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Just 10 more minutes to go and Man Utd are still holding onto a fragile lead.
This promises to be an exciting ending at Old Trafford!
77 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Man Utd star Rashford is fortunately well and can continue.
This is a very entertaining match for the neutral fan as both teams are attacking profusely.
75 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Substitution
Man Utd boss Ten Hag makes his first changes as Fred and Antony come on for Eriksen and Sancho respectively.
75 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Substitution
Another double change from Aston Villa boss Emery as Digne and Duran come on for Moreno and Buendia respectively.
73 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Man Utd complained about a penalty after Rashford went down while under pressure from Chambers.
But a quick VAR check goes against them – at the same time Rashford is receiving treatment, something United fans don’t want to see.
73 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Chance!
Man Utd star Casemiro produces a wonderful curling shot that just misses Martinez’s bottom right corner.
73 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
Man Utd boss Ten Hag might be reading the blog in the dugout as he prepares Antony and Fred.
The Dutch tactician wants to seal it in the next few minutes.
70 Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa
No changes from Man Utd boss Ten Hag yet.
But the Dutchman might want to get something going as Villa are gaining ground.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
