Premier League GW19 - Man United vs Aston Villa

Man United vs Aston Villa | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

During an incredible match at Old Trafford, Manchester United pulled off a spectacular comeback to defeat Aston Villa 3-2. United's young players stunned the home crowd with an incredible second-half performance after trailing 2-0 at the break.

Man United:

United lost 2-0 at West Ham on Saturday to extend their winless streak to four games in all competitions. This defeat came after an encouraging draw away at Liverpool. Although Erik ten Hag's team is currently eight points out of the Champions League spots going into this game, victory over a rival European contender will undoubtedly boost the team's morale.

Aston Villa:

Sheffield United, who was having trouble, halted Villa's run of fourteen Premier League home wins last Friday, drawing 1-1 at Villa Park. Nonetheless, the Villans are still in third place, and a win here would tie Unai Emery's team for first place in the Premier League with leaders Liverpool.

Starting XI:

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1):

Andre Onana; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot; Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen; Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Rasmus Hojlund.

SUBS: Daniel Gore, Willy Kambwala, Donny van de Beek, Scott McTominay, Sergio Reguilon, Altay Bayindir, Hannibal Mejbri, Antony, Facundo Pellistri.

ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1):

Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Clement Lenglet, Lucas Digne; Leon Bailey, John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey; Leander Dendoncker; Ollie Watkins.

SUBS: Tim Iroegbunam, Alex Moreno, Sam Proctor, Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres, Nicolo Zaniolo, Filip Marschall, Calum Chambers, Jhon Duran.

Old Trafford Stadium | Picture Credits: Sports Illustrated

First Half Drama: McGinn's Free-Kick and Dendoncker's Flick Double Villa's Lead

Villa took the lead in the first half as John McGinn's unique free kick broke the tie in the twenty-first minute. The delivery of the set-piece, which seemed to elude everyone, entered the net. Five minutes later, Villa increased their advantage thanks to a superb finish from Leander Dendoncker after Clement Lenglet's header back across goal set him up. United now had a mountain to climb.

Manchester United was behind 2-0 at the interval and had a difficult task ahead of them. But there were glimmers of hope as Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes made threats that suggested a possible comeback in the second half.

Second Half Thriller: Garnacho's Brace Sparks United's Revival

Garnacho's celebrations were cut short in the 48th minute when VAR called him offside following a deft finish. But in the 59th minute, the young prodigy promptly atoned. Marcus Rashford was found by Fernandes, who then sent up Garnacho in a counterattack. This time, the youthful player kept onside and scored with assurance, cutting the lead to 2-1.

Garnacho finished with a brace in the 71st minute, taking advantage of a lucky deflection off Diego Carlos. Fernandes' pass into Garnacho's path after it deflected off a Villa defender was the source of the equaliser. Making it 2-2, the Argentinean outperformed Emiliano Martinez with ease.

The turnabout from a fairy tale was accomplished in the 82nd minute. Seizing the opportunity, Rasmus Hojlund attempted to score his first Premier League goal. When McGinn made an insufficient attempt to clear a corner, the ball fell just right for Hojlund. The youthful attacker fired a forceful shot that struck the post, giving United a 3-2 lead and sent Old Trafford into a frenzy.

Full-time Celebrations: United Ends Winless Streak in Style

As Manchester United celebrated a thrilling 3-2 victory, there were wild celebrations at Old Trafford until the final whistle blew. Erik ten Hag's team were tenacious and resilient, coming back from a two-goal hole to secure an important victory. It will be difficult for Villa to accept that they lost the chance to draw even with league leaders Liverpool.

Fans will always remember this exhilarating meeting as evidence of how unexpected football can be. Now in sixth position, Manchester United is revitalised and prepared for upcoming obstacles. The significance of this victory reverberates as the dust settles at Old Trafford, paving the way for a thrilling Premier League run.

McGinn scored a goal and gave Villa a 1-0 lead | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Dendoncker's goal doubled Villa's lead to 2-0 | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Garnacho broke the deadlock for Man United | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Garnacho scored again and levelled the score | Picture Credits: Premier League Website

Hojlund goal gave Man United a 3-2 lead | Picture Credits: Premier League Website