Manchester United secured a hugely important victory over Aston Villa to boost their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. The hosts didn’t have it all their own way and were forced to show some fight, with Casemiro and a handful of other players leading by example. The first half was relatively quiet, with Diogo Dalot missing the best chance of the opening 45 minutes from close range.

The deadlock was finally broken after the interval, when Casemiro diverted a flicked header into the bottom corner. United’s lead only lasted for 11 minutes before Ross Barkley fired hard and low into the net, putting Villa back on level terms. The game sprung into life as both teams piled forward in search of a winner and it eventually went United’s way, with Matheus Cunha producing a fine finish to put the Red Devils back in front. Things got even better 10 minutes from time when substitute Benjamin Sesko added another to make sure of the result.

Express Sport rates and slates the United players following today’s important win…

Man Utd player ratings vs Aston Villa

Senne Lammens – 6

Made an important stop to deny Amadou Onana moments before Barkley found the bottom corner, which he couldn’t do much about.

Wasted a great chance to score from close range, losing all composure and firing well over. Didn’t do much else worth noting. Not great.

Had a good game. Produced a fantastic sliding tackle to deny Ollie Watkins a shot on goal towards the end of the first half.

Confident on the ball, using his passing skills to start attacking moves from the very back, and was decent in defence.

Made some clever runs to cause problems for Villa down the left flank. Did his defensive duties well enough, too.

Was heavily involved in all areas of the pitch and often found himself as United’s furthest-forward midfielder. Scored a brilliant header to break the deadlock. Led by example alongside Bruno Fernandes.

Helped to move his team forward with some direct ball-carrying and smart passing through the middle. A decent display.

Got two assists, swinging in the corner for Casemiro’s header and finding Cunha with a world-class through ball for United’s second goal. Stepped up when he was needed to run the show in the second half.

Forced a fine save from Emi Martinez with a guided header towards the bottom corner, but was otherwise quieter than usual.

Made a nuisance of himself out wide, putting in some dangerous crosses. Produced a moment of real quality to score the winner, which is exactly why United signed him.

Started slowly but managed to improve in the second half. It wasn’t vintage Mbeumo, though, with some of his team-mates rightfully earning more of the credit.

Substitutes

Benjamin Sesko – 8

Inevitably, found the back of the net just five minutes after coming on with a sweetly-struck effort on the turn. A hugely important goal that rubber-stamped the result.

Came on in the closing minutes when the game was already wrapped up. Got a few minutes in the legs.

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