Man Utd dealt big injury blow as Aston Villa blitzed by trademark turnaround
Manchester United produced a classic second-half turnaround involving Bruno Fernandes to beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park.
Bertrand Traore netted the opener to give Manchester City hope of being confirmed champions on Sunday.
However, two goals in three minutes from Fernandes and Mason Greenwood turned the game on its head, before Edinson Cavani wrapped up the win.
In an injury blow, though, Harry Maguire left the field with a foot injury, while Villa finished with 10 men after Ollie Watkins’ red card.
United had the brighter start, with Luke Shaw stinging Emiliano Martinez’ palms with a fierce shot.
The hosts then got a foothold in the match, with a penalty shout for handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka being denied and Traore having a shot blocked.
United hit back, with Fernandes’ snapshot volley and Greenwood’s shot-cum-shot failing to test Villa.
But while the end-to-end nature of the game continued, Villa changed the script with the opening goal.
Traore spun past United defender Victor Lindelof inside the area and after a weak challenge from his opponent, found time to smash the ball into the top-right corner, hitting it sweetly off the bar.
Macus Rashford led the charge for an equaliser, delivering a teasing cross, but Martinez scuppered his effort.
Fernandes, Greenwood get Man Utd in front
Villa’s lead only lasted six minutes from the start of the second half.
After Pogba and El Ghazi exchanged powerful shots, the former helped win a penalty which Fernandes converted.
Douglas Luiz had two bites at the French midfielder, the second leading to Pogba going down. Fernandes then sent Martinez the wrong way, firing to the right.
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After 56 minutes, Greenwood made it 2-1. The striker impressively got the better of Tyrone Mings and Martinez could only get a touch to his shot.
Traore was still a threat, though, and his flick from a dangerous cross forced Dean Henderson to react.
Edinson Cavani replaced Greenwood, but his first big contribution saw him head away from a dangerous Villa attack.
Maguire’s Man Utd injury blow
While United closed in on victory, though, they were dealt a concern as Maguire went off with a foot problem after 78 minutes.
The England international tried to carry on, but fell onto the turf again and Eric Bailly replaced him.
In the final 10 minutes, Villa still threatened as Keinan Davies outmuscled Lindelof, only for his pass to Watkins to be cut out.
However, Cavani wrapped up victory for his side by glancing in Rashford’s cross after making a trademark run across his marker.
Up the other end, Watkins then received a second yellow for a dive, after trying to win a penalty as Henderson rushed out to meet him.
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