Manchester United 1, Aston Villa 0
Barracked by the Aston Villa fans Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal of the game as Manchester United moved closer to qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Casemiro also hit the crossbar but Victor Lindelof helped keep a clean sheet with clearances off the line as in-form Aston Villa could not find the equaliser.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 1, Aston Villa 0
David De Gea: 6. Saved from Alex Moreno when the loose ball broke to him after Emile Buendia’s cross was blocked.
Diogo Dalot: 7. Had to do defensive work to keep Villa at bay.
Victor Lindelof: 8. Reaction block to keep Jacob Ramsey’s shot out and also blocked another great shot on the line to keep a vital clean sheet.
Luke Shaw: 7. Filled in at left centre back due to injuries, got a boot to the head by Calum Chambers for his troubles.
Tyrell Malacia: 6. Shot wide as United failed to make the most of their attacks but made a last ditch tackle to prevent John McGinn from having a shot.
Casemiro: 8. Raking passes from deep and a shot against the crossbar. Great chance for a second goal in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes: 8. Good attacking balls into the box deserved better finishes. Felt the ire of the visiting fans after going down on the edge of the box following a tackle but that only fuelled his desire to get even and he relished the chance to celebrate in front of the Villa fans when he slotted home a rebound after 39 minutes. Could have added another to his goal tally just before half time.
Marcel Sabitzer: 7. Good ball forward to Marcus Rashford but he was offside, shot over the bar in electric start. Did his share of defensive work in the second half too, blocking Douglas Luiz’ shot as Villa pressed for an equaliser.
Christian Eriksen: 6. Good range of passes but ran out of steam in the second half.
Jadon Sancho: 6. More expected of the youngster.
Marcus Rashford: 6. Was offside when he shot wide. Had another great shot saved by Emi Martinez and several other chances later but no clear opportunities. Needed treatment late in the game.
Fred (for Christian Erikson, 76): No time to mark.
Antony (for Jadon Sancho, 76): No time to mark.
Harry Maguire (for Marcel Sabitzer, 86): No time to mark.
Anthony Martial (for Marcus Rashford, 86): No time to mark.
GOALS – Manchester United 1, Aston Villa 0
Man Utd 1, Aston Villa 0: 39. Bruno Fernandes was first to react after Marcus Rashford’s shot was parried out by Emi Martinez, after he received a barracking from the away fans for overreacting to a tackle he relished the sweet revenge.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 1, Aston Villa 0
Man Utd: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Fernandes, Sabitzer (Maguire 86), Eriksen (Fred 76), Sancho (Antony 76), Rashford (Martial 86)
Man Utd Subs not used: Butland, Weghorst, Pellistri, Wan-Bissaka, Williams
Bookings: Fred 87 (foul on Bertrand Traore), Malacia 90+4 (foul on Bertrand Traore)
Goal: Fernandes 39
Aston Villa: Emi Martinez, Ashley Young (Chambers 64), Konsa, Mings, Moreno (Digne 76), Dendoncker (Traore 64), Luiz, McGinn, Buendia (Duran 76), Jacob Ramsay, Watkins
Aston Villa Subs not used: Olsen, Diego Carlos, Revan, O’Reilly, Kadan Young
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Attendance: 73,592