Manchester United grinded out a slim victory over Aston Villa to all but secure top-four status as the season nears its expiration.
Manchester United formation and starting XI
Erik Ten Hag set up his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation with De Gea in goal, Dalot, Lindelof, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Sancho, Sabitzer, Fernandes and Rashford.
For Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, they lined-up in similar formation like Manchester United with the manager opting for a 4-2-3-1 style.
The starting XI of Aston Villa went thus: Martinez, Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno, Dendonker, Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Ramsey and Ollie Watkins.
Marcel Sabitzer got the ball rolling for Manchester United and both sides began to take the initiative right from the get-go.
United got the game’s first big change in the 8th minute albeit the flag went up, the chance came after Sabitzer sent in a through-ball between Mings and Konsa with Rashford running through the center.
The Englishman went one-on-one with Emiliano Martinez but he curled his attempt wide of the goalpost.
In the 19th minute, Aston Villa got their own massive opportunity after Jacob Ramsey got the ball outside the area and he sent a pass to the feet of Buendia.
Buendia made it to the byline on the right and played a pass through the legs of Luke Shaw and across the area.
Watkins is very far away from the ball and Diogo Dalot poked it out but only as far as Moreno who smashed a shot towards goal with David De Gea getting across and blocking his attempt.
9 minutes later, Erik Ten Hag’s side almost went ahead but Aston Villa were saved by the goalkeeper’s best friend.
Sancho was on the receiving end of a pass and he dashed into Villa’s box forcing Ashely Young to run towards his own net.
Sancho then found Casemiro into the center of the area, with the Brazilian striking the bar with his curling effort.
The home side took the lead in the 39th minute and rightly deserved as they had been the better all afternoon prior to the goal.
Rashford ran behind the Villa area on the left hand side before curling a low attempt towards goal. His weak effort was pushed away by Emiliano Martinez but Bruno Fernandes was on hand to play the rebound.
After a VAR check, Manchester United were award the goal!
VAR afterwards examined the goal to see if Rashford was offside and after the review the goal was given.
2 minutes was added as additional time of the first half and former Manchester United man Ashley Young recovered the ball from Eriksen but his clearance afterwards found Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese chested it down before firing a shot from outside the area but Emiliano Martinez saved his side’s blushes.
The first 45 ended with Manchester United ahead and deserving of the lead ahead of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
Both teams began the second half eagerly competitive with possibly different ambitions in mind.
Four minutes away from the hour mark, Callum Chambers was brought on to replace Ashley Young and Bertrand Traore was introduced into the fray replacing Leander Dendonker.
Aston Villa have lost only one of their nine Premier League away games under Unai Emery winning six, drawing two and losing one with that loss coming against Man City in February.
In the 75th minute, Alex Moreno who has had a good afternoon was substituted for Frenchman Lucas Digne.
A minute later, Jhon Duran came on for Emiliano Buendia with Unai Emery focusing on effecting a change on the scoreline.
Ten Had responded to the substitutions made by his opposition by sending on Fred for Christian Eriksen and Anthony for Jadon Sancho.
6 minutes later, Manchester United were saved by the whiskers after Ollie Watkins went past Victor Lindelof before sending a cross into the center of the box.
Sabitzer is there but his clearance was straight to Luiz, his first shot was blocked but his subsequent attempt was cleared off the line by the head of Victor Lindelof, a strike that was aiming for the top corner.
Harry Maguire replaced Marcel Sabitzer while Anthony Martial replaced Marcus Rashford in the 86th minute.
Fred was cautioned a minute later for time wasting and he became the first man to get into the referee’s book late on in the game.
Tyrell Malacia was also brandished a yellow card for a tactical foul in front of Manchester United’s area.
It ended with Manchester United being victorious over Aston Villa and they ended Villa’s run of scoring at least a goal in all 20 league games under Unai Emery.
Manchester United based on that win have all but secured their top four status.
