Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Aston Villa impressive again to get another great result in their favor. After a clinical win against Everton, this time it is most successful Premier League side Manchester United the victim.
The hosts were in agony after the West ham defeat in the Carabao Cup a couple of days ago. But now it’s salt on their wounds as they suffer a second defeat in a row at home.
It was Aston Villa’s first win at Old Trafford since 2009.
Manchester United before the game were joint top with Liverpool and Chelsea with 13 points and behind only on goal difference. Both the teams had sufficient chances to convert, but Villa’s Kortney Hause finally broke through in the 88th minute.
With minutes away from the closing time, Villa went in despair as a handball awards a penalty to the hosts. Bruno Fernandez steps up to take the kick but it was over the crossbar.
United’s penalty came just one day after Solskjaer had complained about the lack of spot-kicks awarded to his team. The United coach seemed to blame those refereeing decisions on comments made by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp last season. Meanwhile, champions Man City edged Chelsea 1-0 in the Premier League’s other early kick-off, to shake up the title race.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer complained about Villa’s players surrounding the penalty spot before the kick was missed: Manchester United vs Aston Villa.
“First of all the way they get round the penalty spot, get round Bruno and that, that’s not to my liking,” he said.
“Bruno is usually very good in those positions and unfortunately he missed this one. He’s strong mentally and he’ll step forward again.”
The Manchester United manager also had complaints about Villa’s goal as Ollie Watkins appeared to be in an offside position, while he confirmed that Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw “don’t look ok” for Villarreal on Wednesday.
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith after the match with BBC sports.
“It gives an awful lot of belief to the players now. We went toe-to-toe with Chelsea, and we came here and went toe-to-toe.
“They probably had a lot more chances than us but they were smaller chances and we had some really big chances and deserved the win.
“We caused them problems from set-pieces and we get that goal and want to see the game out then but inevitably when we play Man Utd we give a penalty away.
“It was extremely harsh, I’m not sure where he’s meant to put his arm and probably justice was done. They’ll enjoy that one and certainly, our fans will because it’s a long time coming.”
