Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa fell to defeat against Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

All four goals came in the second half, with Casemiro glancing home a header to open the scoring after 53 minutes.

Ross Barkley levelled matters with a thumping first-time finish soon after, before Matheus Cunha restored the hosts’ advantage.

Substitute Benjamin Šeško netted his side’s third via a deflected shot to help see the Red Devils to victory.

Unai Emery’s Villa, who stay fourth in the top flight, will now regroup for two home games, facing LOSC Lille on Thursday and West Ham United in seven days' time.

Captain John McGinn made his first start since mid-January at Old Trafford, while Barkley and Tyrone Mings also came into the team to face the Red Devils.

And it was the visiting Villans who dictated proceedings early on before the hosts began to assert themselves following a quiet opening quarter of the first half.

Emi Martínez dove to his right to pull off a one-handed save from Amad Diallo’s header, marking the first effort on target after 22 minutes, while McGinn shot wide at the other end soon after.

Despite the game swinging from end to end, there was little in the way of clear-cut chances until Diogo Dalot blazed over from close range in the 38^th minute, having been picked out by Bruno Fernandes.

The United captain sent a shot wide shortly before the half-time whistle sounded as the sides headed back down the tunnel goalless.

Amad sent a shot flying into the Stretford End and Martínez saved from Bryan Mbeumo as United looked to attack at the start of the second half.

The pressure told after 53 minutes when Casemiro met Fernandes’ corner at the near post, glancing his header onto the far post and in to give his side the lead.

Mings nodded wide from a free-kick before Emery turned to Tammy Abraham and Leon Bailey on the hour mark.

And less than four minutes later, Villa levelled the scores when Barkley slammed home a first-time shot from Lucas Digne’s low cross.

Parity lasted for just seven minutes, however, as an incisive Fernandes through ball released Cunha in behind the defence and the Brazilian passed the ball into the bottom corner beyond Martínez’s dive.

The home crowd were celebrating again with nine minutes remaining when substitute Šeško swivelled in the box and saw a deflected effort nestle in the back of the net.