Scott McTominay’s 86th-minute header gave Manchester United a priceless victory at Aston Villa as they fight for Champions League qualification.
United appeared to be clinging on for a point as Villa created a succession of chances after Douglas Luiz had cancelled out Rasmus Hojlund’s first-half strike.
But McTominay settled a thrilling contest when he got in front of Matty Cash and rose to meet Diogo Dalot’s right-wing cross.
United manager Erik ten Hag punched the air in delight as his side moved to within five points of their hosts, who remain fifth, and six adrift of Tottenham.
It was United’s fourth successive victory in all competitions – their best run of the season.
The result was harsh on Villa, though. They were thwarted on numerous occasions by United keeper Andre Onana, and despite the urgings of the home support were unable to draw level a second time.
More to follow.
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Aston Villa
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Squad number1Player nameE Martínez
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Squad number2Player nameCash
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Squad number3Player nameDiego Carlos
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Squad number17Player nameLenglet
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Squad number15Player nameÁlex Moreno
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Squad number44Player nameKamara
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Squad number6Player nameDouglas Luiz
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Squad number31Player nameBailey
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Squad number7Player nameMcGinn
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Squad number41Player nameJ Ramsey
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Squad number11Player nameWatkins
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Squad number8Player nameTielemans
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Squad number12Player nameDigne
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Squad number19Player nameDiaby
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Squad number22Player nameZaniolo
Manchester United
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Squad number2Player nameLindelöf
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Squad number4Player nameS Amrabat
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Squad number35Player nameEvans
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Squad number39Player nameMcTominay
Line-ups
Aston Villa
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1E Martínez
- 2CashBooked at 60mins
- 3Diego Carlos
- 17LengletBooked at 45mins
- 15MorenoSubstituted forDigneat 87′minutes
- 44KamaraSubstituted forDiabyat 65′minutesBooked at 71mins
- 6Douglas Luiz
- 31BaileySubstituted forTielemansat 73′minutes
- 7McGinnSubstituted forZanioloat 87′minutes
- 41J Ramsey
- 11Watkins
Substitutes
- 8Tielemans
- 12Digne
- 14P Torres
- 19Diaby
- 22Zaniolo
- 25Olsen
- 27Rogers
- 29Kesler-Hayden
- 47Iroegbunam
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24Onana
- 20Dalot
- 19Varane
- 5Maguire
- 23ShawSubstituted forLindelöfat 45′minutes
- 37MainooBooked at 45minsSubstituted forS Amrabatat 90+2′minutes
- 18CasemiroBooked at 37mins
- 17Garnacho
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 10RashfordSubstituted forMcTominayat 73′minutes
- 11HøjlundSubstituted forEvansat 90+2′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Bayindir
- 2Lindelöf
- 4S Amrabat
- 14Eriksen
- 16Diallo
- 21Antony
- 35Evans
- 39McTominay
- 62Forson
Live Text
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Match ends, Aston Villa 1, Manchester United 2.
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Second Half ends, Aston Villa 1, Manchester United 2.
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Foul by Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa).
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Casemiro (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Attempt saved. Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Casemiro.
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Attempt saved. Matty Cash (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Youri Tielemans.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Sofyan Amrabat replaces Kobbie Mainoo.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Jonny Evans replaces Rasmus Højlund.
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Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United).
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Attempt saved. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matty Cash with a cross.
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Foul by Lucas Digne (Aston Villa).
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Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Aston Villa. Lucas Digne replaces Álex Moreno.
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Substitution, Aston Villa. Nicolò Zaniolo replaces John McGinn.
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Goal! Aston Villa 1, Manchester United 2. Scott McTominay (Manchester United) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Diogo Dalot with a cross.
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Foul by Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa).
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Raphaël Varane (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.