Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa
Manchester United did just enough to make it past Aston Villa but were second best for large parts of the game.
McTominay’s goal early in the first half ended up being the winner, but Villa hit the crossbar and had a goal ruled out by VAR, while also dominating large parts of the game.
Man Utd XI: De Gea;
Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw;
McTominay, Fred;
Greenwood, Fernandes;
Cavani, Rashford.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez,
Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett,
McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Buendia,
Ings, Watkins.
Goals and highlights:
7′
A bright start from the home side was rewarded with a goal as a cross from deep by Fred finds his midfield partner Scott McTominay who heads into the net. 1-0
19′
John McGinn tries his luck from distance after being given plenty of space by the Manchester United midfield, but a strong hand from David De Gea denies the Scotland midfielder.
27′
Emiliano Buendia combines with Watkins on the edge of the United area and his low drive is held by De Gea. Then, on the other end, Fernandes feeds Cavani, whose deflected shot Martinez palms away.
30′
A hoofed long ball by Mings is poorly controlled by Lindelof who allows Watkins to get the ball, and he chops inside the six-yard box only to fire onto the crossbar.
38′
A brilliant block from Matty Cash denies Fernandes, whose low shot looked like it was going in at the far post. Then Martinez saves Luke Shaw’s attempt
50′
The equaliser comes early in the second half in an almost comical fashion as Ings knees the ball in at close range, but Ramsey was blocking Cavani in the build-up and the referee has decided to disallow the goal.
59′
A good spell from Villa and Ings dinked the ball over De Gea, before Watkins poked home on the line.
But Ings was offside on the initial pass forward.
67′
It’s more or less all Aston Villa and the ball falls to Cash on the edge of the box, with defender testing De Gea who pushes the ball round the post.
73′
A nice break by United after Greenwood was played in by a Fernandes throw-in, and as he rushes in on goal.
Martinez saves the shot and it spills into the box, but Rashford is unwilling to pounce on the rebound.
A strange reaction from the striker.
80′
Villa were well on top, but United have come back into the game and looks dangerous. Villa might have missed their chance, but they have 10 minutes left to get an equaliser.
So, what’s next for Utd and Villa?
They will face each other in the Premier League on Saturday.
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