Manchester United picked up a crucial 2-1 victory against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at Villa Park.
It was a Rasmus Hojlund goal for Manchester United in the first half but after a second-half fight back, the Red Devils won it late on through Scott McTominay.
Here are five things we learned from United’s victory in Birmingham.
Hojlund nets again
It was a late winner against Aston Villa at Old Trafford that kickstarted the club’s revival and also his goalscoring revival and, since then, Rasmus Hojlund cannot stop scoring.
The Danish striker struggled hugely when he was brought into the club with the 21-year-old’s profligacy in the Premier League becoming an issue.
However, his tap-in, after a brilliant knockdown from the incoming Harry Maguire, who replaced Lisandro Martinez, Hojlund had the easy job and made it five goals in his last five league games.
Onana impressive
The Cameroon international has rightly received criticism this season but in recent weeks, the 27-year-old has looked more consistent for the Red Devils.
He made a brilliant save to deny a powerful effort from John McGinn and was out quick to deny Ollie Watkins from drawing the sides level.
Despite the struggles he has had this campaign, in recent weeks, Andre Onana has improved drastically and deserves all the plaudits he gets.
Casemiro’s struggle
The midfield pairing of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo looked brilliant against West Ham United but this week, Casemiro, in particular, struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.
Casemiro was wrongly booked in the first half after he was deemed to have fouled Matty Cash but the replays showed that the Polish right-back seemed to go to ground rather easily.
Since his return from injury, the Brazilian has had a mixed time of things but it looked as if the midfielder struggled in the Midlands.
United’s second-half struggles
Ironically, up until United scored in the first half, the Red Devils were on top in the game. However, from then on, the Red Devils struggled hugely and Villa were on top.
In the second half, barring a couple of chances for the Red Devils, Villa were dominant and got their deserved equaliser through Douglas Luiz.
United struggled hugely in the second half and once again failed to control the game and the Midlands side will probably be kicking themselves that they came away from the game with nothing.
McTominay is the hero
United knew coming into the game that the Red Devils had to go to Villa Park to win the game otherwise, their chances of qualifying for the Champions League were non-existent.
They have cut the gap to the Champions League places to just five points and it was a late winner from Scott McTominay that has fired them back into contention.
McTominay came on in the second half and the Scotsman netted after a superb cross from Diogo Dalot to send the away end into raptures.
The Scotsman was vital and it seems Ten Hag has a new weapon off the bench.
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