Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa
Casemiro (53′) Cunha (71′) Sesko (83′) Barkley (64′)
Two goals in the final twenty minutes secured a crucial three points for Manchester United at Old Trafford, as Michael Carrick’s interim reign continues to bear fruit.
The top four match up with Aston Villa started slowly, but burst into life in an action-packed second half.
United opened the scoring after a terrific corner kick delivery from captain Bruno Fernandes. The outswinging ball was headed past Emi Martinez by Casemiro, giving the hosts the lead in the 53rd minute.
Aston Villa responded eleven minutes later. Ross Barkley’s wicked strike found the bottom corner after Lucas Digne’s low cross.
But United seized control of the match in the final twenty minutes, again, their starman Fernandes was heavily involved. The Portuguese midfielder split the Villa defence with a deadly through ball. Matheus Cunha gathered and finished past Martinez with his right foot to reestablish the lead.
Benjamin Sesko fired home his 9th league goal of the season, to add gloss to the scoreline in the 83rd minute, moving Carrick’s rejuvenated side three points clear in third place over Villa.
Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro (Ugarte 91′) Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbuemo (Sesko 75′)
Aston Villa: Martinez, Bogarde, Konsa, Mings (Maatsen 82′) Digne, Onana, Barkley (Luiz 82′) McGinn (Bailey 61′) Buendia (Garcia (86′) Rogers, Watkins (Abraham 60′)
