An impressive second-half fightback at Villa Park by Man United delays Manchester City’s title celebrations.
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Manchester United once again went behind in an away match and once again fought back to secure all three points. Aston Villa were the unfortunate recipients of United’s second-half wrath this time. The Red Devils came from a goal down in the first half to win 3-1 at Villa Park, where they have not lost in the Premier League since 1995, on Sunday. At half-time, Manchester City had one hand on the Premier League trophy, but United’s impressive second half fightback has delayed their title celebration.
Man City still need three points themselves or for United to drop three points to get their hands on the league title. But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s boys were not yet ready to let City lift the trophy. Arguably the best travelling side in the league, Manchester United yet again started the game slowly. The little bit of joy United enjoyed in the opening period came from the left flank, where Luke Shaw was allowed to roam freely.
It was no surprise that Shaw made Emi Martinez produce the first meaningful save of the match from a tight angle. With United struggling to find the rhythm, Villa took the lead with their first opening. John McGinn intercepted a pass high up the pitch that resulted in Bertrand Traore getting the ball at the edge of the box. He turned Victor Lindelof in the box and fired a superb left-footed shot into the top right corner.
The goal came against the run of play and a lot of questions will be asked about Lindelof’s role in it. Mason Greenwood then produced a good shot from a tight angle which was pushed away by Martinez. But their defenders cleared the ball before a United player could pounce on the rebound. With not much to separate them, Villa went into the break with a single goal cushion.
The Red Devils, referred to as ‘Comeback Kings’, started the second half impressively. After Douglas Luiz had clumsily fouled Paul Pogba in the box, Bruno Fernandes stepped up to slot the penalty home at 52 minute to start the fightback.
Four minutes later United were in front. After receiving Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s pass, Greenwood turned away from Tyrone Mings and found the bottom corner from just inside the box. As a result, the 19-year-old striker is the top-scoring teenager for Manchester United in the Premier League with 16 goals to beat Wayne Rooney’s record of 15 strikes.
Substitute Edinson Cavani’s late header from Marcus Rashford’s cross sealed the three points in the end. Not long after Ollie Watkins received his second yellow to compound the misery on Aston Villa.
