Man Utd strengthen Champions League credentials with win over Villa | OneFootball

Manchester United took a strong grip on third place in the Premier League as assist-king Bruno Fernandes inspired his side to victory.

It wasn't long ago that Aston Villa were 10 points ahead of Manchester United and keeping up pace with the league leaders. However, United's improvement and Villa's dip meant that the Red Devils went into this game ahead in the battle for third place.

For most of the first half it was the hosts who looked slightly the better of the two teams at Old Trafford. With 22 minutes gone Amad Diallo forced Emiliano Martínez into a fine save and later on in the half Diogo Dalot received a fine pass from Bruno Fernandes that put him in a great position but very much produced a right-back's finish.

United eventually took the lead eight minutes into the second half when Fernandes whipped in a corner from the right that Casemiro, who else, rose highest to head in off the post.

The visitors responded well to that setback though with Amadou Onana forcing Senne Lammens into a solid stop.

The equaliser arrived shortly after when Lucas Digne put in a low cross that no United defender was able to intercept with Ross Barkley providing the finishing touch.

Fernandes has been instrumental for United this season with his assists and he got another one in the 71st minute as he put a perfectly-weighted throughball for Matheus Cunha who still had plenty to do. The Brazilian's first touch set it for him to then find the corner beyond the reach of Martínez and restore United's lead.

Shortly after that Michael Carrick elected to bring Benjamin Sesko on for Bryan Mbeumo. The Slovenian has been the super-sub often for United in 2026 and he produced once again after his effort took a deflection that allowed it to find the net and make it 3-1.

Villa looked like a team who certainly had a tough midweek European trip after their Europa League win over Lille midweek. But defeat here means that they have to worry about Liverpool's result against beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur later this afternoon.

Meanwhile this win means that United are closer to Manchester City than their neighbours are to league leaders Arsenal. 

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

9':

Opportunity wasted. Emiliano Buendía from Aston Villa attempted a header from the center of the box but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from Morgan Rogers, who delivered a cross.

24':

Missed opportunity. John McGinn from Aston Villa attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went over the goal and to the right. The assist came from Lucas Digne.

35':

Opportunity wasted. Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a corner kick.

35':

Missed opportunity. Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area following a corner, but it went wide to the left.

38':

Missed opportunity! Diogo Dalot from Manchester United took a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, but it sailed over the goal. The assist came from Bruno Fernandes.

38':

Missed opportunity! Diogo Dalot from Manchester United took a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, but it sailed over the crossbar. The assist came from Bruno Fernandes.

43':

Missed opportunity. Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area but failed to find the target. The assist came from Kobbie Mainoo during a quick counterattack.

48':

Opportunity wasted. Amad Diallo from Manchester United attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.

48':

Missed opportunity. Amad Diallo of Manchester United attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it narrowly missed the top right corner. The assist came from Bryan Mbeumo.

51':

Missed opportunity. Matheus Cunha from Manchester United attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area but sent it wide to the left following a corner kick.

51':

Missed opportunity. Matheus Cunha from Manchester United attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area but sent it wide to the left following a corner kick.

Manchester United takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Aston Villa. Casemiro heads the ball into the left corner from the right side of the six-yard box. The assist comes from Bruno Fernandes, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.Manchester United takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Aston Villa. Casemiro scores with a header from the right side of the six-yard box, directing it into the left corner of the net. The assist comes from Bruno Fernandes, who delivered a precise cross following a corner kick.

53':

GOAL Manchester United: Casemiro (Manchester United) scores!

Casemiro scores goal number 7 in the competition (28 matches) Casemiro scores goal number 24 for his team (154 matches)

60':

Opportunity wasted! Tyrone Mings from Aston Villa headed the ball from the center of the box but couldn't find the target. The assist came from John McGinn, who delivered a great cross.

60':

Opportunity wasted! Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa had a header from the middle of the penalty area but couldn't find the target. The assist came from John McGinn, who delivered a cross.

63':

Opportunity wasted. Leon Bailey of Aston Villa attempted a header from the center of the box but failed to convert. The assist came from Lucas Digne, who delivered a cross.

It's now Manchester United 1, Aston Villa 1. Ross Barkley scores for Aston Villa with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the bottom left corner following a corner kick.

64':

GOAL Aston Villa: Ross Barkley (Aston Villa) scores!

Ross Barkley scores goal number 2 in the competition (13 matches)

Manchester United takes the lead with a score of 2-1 against Aston Villa. Matheus Cunha scores with a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area.

71':

GOAL Manchester United: Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) scores!

Matheus Cunha scores goal number 7 in the competition (27 matches) Matheus Cunha scores goal number 7 for his team (29 matches)

Manchester United leads 3-1 against Aston Villa. Benjamin Sesko scores for Manchester United, firing a right-footed shot from the middle of the box into the bottom left corner.

81':

GOAL Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) scores!

Benjamin Sesko scores goal number 9 in the competition (25 matches) Benjamin Sesko scores goal number 10 for his team (27 matches)

90 +7':

Missed opportunity! Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Douglas Luiz.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match