In the Premier League, Bruno Fernandes inspired Manchester United to another impressive victory and deepened Aston Villa’s concerns over relegation.
Extending their unbeaten streak to 17 games in all competitions, and closed to Leicester fourth, the side of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued their impressive recent run.
They had to repel a fast start from the hosts at Villa Park as the low strike cannoned off the post by Mahmoud Trezeguet.
It seemed to be a foul on the Villa defender by the Portuguese international, but the miss proved vital as the excellent Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after being tripped by Ezri Konsa.
United dominated the contest’s possession and pace and doubled its advantage by teenager Mason Greenwood, who further stressed his brutal finishing skill by firing in his 16th of the campaign.
Anthony Martial smashed against the crossbar with the heavy loss leaving Villa at the second bottom, four points safely adrift with four games left and Paul Pogba stroked in a lovely third.
Aston Villa 0 – 3 Manchester United
Goals: 0-1 Bruno 27′, 0-2 Greenwood 45+5′, 0-3 Pogba 58′
Yellow cards: Wan-Bissaka (M), Matic (M), Fred (M); Konsa (A), Nakamba (A)
Aston Villa: Reina; Konsa, Hause, Mings, Taylor; El Ghazi, Luiz, McGinn, Trezeguet; Grealish; Davis
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Pogba, Matic; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
