Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United: What Were The Key Talking Points As United Snatch A Crucial Late Victory At Villa Park?

In what could prove to be a season-defining victory on Sunday afternoon, Manchester United snatched a late 2-1 win away at Aston Villa.

Appearing to have turned a recent corner, Erik ten Hag’s side opened the scoring after just 17 minutes as the red-hot Rasmus Hojlund notched his fifth strike in as many domestic appearances.

Although the former Premier League champions might have entered the half-time break with a deserved 1-0 lead, Villa certainly put in an improved performance after returning from the interval.

Creating a string of chances and watching Andre Onana make a host of eye-catching stops, Douglas Luiz finished from close range midway through the second half and handed Unai Emery’s men a platform to build on.

However, although Sunday’s hosts might have been minutes away from clinching a crucial point, it was Scott McTominay who proved to be United’s hero as the Scotland international powered home in the 87th minute.

Keeping their Champions League dreams alive this weekend and collecting a real scalp away from Old Trafford, the Reds will take away plenty of positives from a gritty performance in the Midlands.

Although Villa might still be dreaming of the chance to punch their own top-four finish come May, Emery’s men have collected just a single victory from their previous six appearances.

In a showdown that saw chances fall at both ends of the Villa Park pitch, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday’s showdown.

United riding a wave of momentum

Although Manchester United might have come under plenty of scrutiny this season, ten Hag’s side have certainly turned a real corner over the past month.

Making a statement last weekend as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp at home against West Ham, the former Ajax boss has eased plenty of the pressure that has been mounting on his shoulders.

Extending on their FA Cup adventure on January 28th as they grabbed an action-packed 4-2 victory away at League Two…

Source link : https://www.soccernews.com/aston-villa-1-2-manchester-united-what-were-the-key-talking-points-as-united-snatch-a-crucial-late-victory-at-villa-park/366815/

Author : Tom Dunstan

Publish date : 2024-02-12 05:00:10

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.