Bruno Fernandes score a brace for Manchester united before Aston Villa netted through Jacob Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho to share points.
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Bruno Fernandes scored a brace as Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in the Premier League fixture at Villa Park on Saturday. Ralf Rangnick’s side looked to be cruising to an away win as Bruno Fernandes netted twice with 23 minutes remaining. The Portuguese international netted an early goal before doubling the lead after the hour-mark. However, Jacob Ramsey and substitute Philippe Coutinho, who joined on loan from Barcelona in midweek, created a famous comeback as Steven Gerrard’s side shared the points.
A brilliant attacking spectacle ends level at Villa Park ?#AVLMUN pic.twitter.com/UhnZJVvoff
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 15, 2022
Despite playing without Cristiano Ronaldo, who was out with an injury, the Red Devils broke the deadlock inside the opening six minutes. Fernandes’s long-range effort somehow hobbled through the legs of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Villa custodian has been one of the star performers this season but there was no hiding from this mistake.
The Red Devils were clearly the better side in the opening half. Alex Telles’ cross from the left flank found its way across to Mason Greenwood. But the English winger’s volley was brilliantly blocked by Martinez.
The Argentine goalkeeper was having a busy night as he palmed away a powerful free-kick from Telles. Up until the half-hour mark, Villa failed to register even a single shot on target. And then, Ollie Watkins’ weak shot was comfortably saved by David de Gea. At the other end, Greenwood tested Martinez at the near post.
Ten minutes before the break, De Gea made his first real save of the match, The Spanish goalkeeper made a quick reflex save to deny Emi Buendia from Lucas Digne’s corner. Within 90 seconds of restart, 19-year-old Anthony Elanga, who was making his Premier League debut, tested Martinez from inside the box.
At the other end, Ramsey played a one-two with Buendia before testing De Gea at the near post from the left side of the box. Just before the hour-mark, Elanga’s effort went inches wide before Greenwood also slid an effort wide.
In the 67th minute, Sanson’s miss-pass fell to Fred, who smartly laid the ball to Fernandes to strike in off the underside of the crossbar to double the lead. With 20 minutes left, Gerrard introduced Coutinho in place of Sanson and Villa pulled one back through Ramsey in the 76th minute.
Tyrone Mings burst up the field and the ball fell into the path of Ramsey inside the box, who made no mistake as he smashed it past De Gea. Ramsey then turned provider, nine minutes from time. Buendia slid the ball through to Ramsey on the left side, and the Englishman’s first time cross was turned home by Coutinho at the far post.
