Manchester United moved level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table after a thrilling 2-1 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on New Year’s Day. Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes scores for the home team.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made four changes from the side that had beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers in added time three days previously, with an eye on energy levels staying high.
The four changes see Luke Shaw, Fred, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial come in for Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani, who is serving the first of a three-match suspension.
Tyrone Mings returned to Aston Villa’s starting XI having been suspended for Monday’s draw at Chelsea, with Kortney Hause among the substitutes.
The Reds’ first goal of 2021 going to Anthony Martial when he opened the scoring with a low, guided header five minutes before a breath-taking half came to an end.
Villa’s standing as one of the most improved sides in the Premier League this season was obvious as they fought back to level terms on 58 minutes, through Bertrand Traore.
However, the equaliser didn’t deflate the buoyant Reds who re-took the lead three minutes later with Bruno Fernandes converting from the spot after Paul Pogba was brought down by Douglas Luiz.
Emiliano Martinez then made stunning saves to deny Martial and Fernandes before Tyrone Mings passed up a late chance to claim a point when he guided Matty Cash’s free-kick wide.
An English league record 36th victory on New Year’s Day puts Man Utd second on goal difference. Villa drop to sixth place after a first defeat in six matches.
It was only a second Premier League defeat in eight away matches for Dean Smith’s battling side, who pushed United all the way.
Defeat extends Villa’s winless record against United to 16 matches since 2009, with just one triumph in their last 44 league meetings, and they’ll now be looking to get back to winning ways in their FA Cup Third-Round tie against Liverpool next Friday.
Match-Stats :
| Manchester United | Aston Villa | |
|---|---|---|
| 48.9 | Possession % | 51.1 |
| 9 | Shots on target | 5 |
| 19 | Shots | 15 |
| 586 | Touches | 612 |
| 406 | Passes | 407 |
| 11 | Tackles | 17 |
| 25 | Clearances | 18 |
| 5 | Corners | 10 |
| 1 | Offsides | 1 |
| 4 | Yellow cards | 0 |
| 22 | Fouls conceded | 10 |
What Next ?
- Manchester United will travel to Burnley on 12th Jan.
- Aston Villa will host Spurs at home on 13th Jan.
