Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 2-1

Aston Villa fell after five games without losses

Of: Gustaf Ränkeskog

Published: January 1, 2021 at 11:01 p.m.
Updated: January 1, 2021 at 11:35 p.m.

Photo: Carl Recine / TT NEWS AGENCY

Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 2-1.

He now has the same points as league leaders Liverpool.

– We must continue to play smart and do things well, says match hero Bruno Fernandes.

Manchester United have found a way in earnest.

In the first game of the calendar year, the team’s 10th consecutive league game without a loss came when they beat Aston Villa at home.

Decided on punishment

United, who again had to do without Victor Lindelöf due to back problems, created many chances in the first half. And just before the break, the lead goal also came when Anthony Martial stayed ahead and nodded at 1-0.

Aston Villas Bertrand Traoré tied after one hour of play, but only three minutes later the home team regained the lead.

Paul Pogba collapsed in the penalty area, and after a VAR review, Bruno Fernandes was able to make it 2-1 from the penalty spot.

“Too early to speak”

The Portuguese goal was the last of the game. With Liverpool losing points last time out, Ole Gunnar Solskjaers United is now at the same point (33) as the table, but with a worse goal difference.

After the match, Solskjaer was asked if the Manchester team is a title challenger.

– It’s too early to talk about that. But if we continue to win even matches, like this one, it will be close. These are important points, says the United manager.

Now three games – semi-final against Manchester City in the league cup, FA Cup meeting with Watford and Burnley in the league – await a week from now, before traveling to Anfield to face Liverpool on January 17.

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Published: January 1, 2021 at 11:01 p.m.

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