Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa exited the FA Cup with a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United despite an impressive performance which deserved greater reward.

Villa created a plethora of openings at Old Trafford and enjoyed the better of an open third-round tie, particularly in the second half, but were ultimately undone by Scott McTominay’s eighth-minute header.

It was harsh on a Villa outfit who played on the front foot and were positive in their approach but could just not find that crucial breakthrough in the final third.

They looked to have levelled early in the second half only to see Danny Ings’ close-range finish disallowed following a lengthy VAR review, with Ollie Watkins, who struck the crossbar, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey, among others, also going close.

But it was not to be on the night as Villa, seven-time winners, bowed out in the third round of the world’s oldest domestic cup competition for a sixth successive season.

Yet Steven Gerrard’s side will be looking to quickly make amends when the two sides do battle again in the Premier League at Villa Park on Saturday.

The history books were not on Villa’s side heading into the encounter, which was the fifth third-round meeting between the two sides since the turn of the century, with the Villans tasting defeat in each of the previous four.

Watkins and captain Tyrone Mings returned to Gerrard’s starting XI as the Villa head coach made two changes from defeat at Brentford last time out.

Villa were looking to replicate their 1-0 triumph earlier in the season, only their second victory at United since 1983, but it was the hosts who took an early lead in what was a breathless opening 45 minutes.

Emi Martínez collected a long-range strike from McTominay but the United midfielder connected with Fred’s cross shortly afterwards to head United in front.

Watkins almost prodded home Douglas Luiz’s dangerous corner at the back post as Villa looked for an immediate response.

Emi Buendía then flashed an effort across the face of goal which Ings could not quite connect with.

McGinn’s fierce drive from distance drew a smart one-handed save from David de Gea in the 20^th minute before Buendía then tested the United stopper.

Martínez thwarted Edinson Cavani at the other end as an open first half continued.

Watkins then went closest for the visitors when he pounced on Victor Lindelof’s defensive error from Mings’ long clearance, turned inside the United defender and rattled the crossbar.

Ramsey saw his strike deflected narrowly wide moments later as Villa continued to push for a leveller.

As half-time approached, Martinéz tipped over Luke Shaw’s long-range drive before collecting a 25-yard volley from McTominay, as an entertaining opening 45 minutes ended with the home side narrowly ahead.

Villa continued the second half in the same front-foot fashion as they played the first and looked to have got their reward shortly after the restart.

McGinn’s deep free-kick was sent back towards goal by Ezri Konsa and Ings was on hand to prod home from close range, much to the delight of the travelling away support; but, after a long VAR review, it was subsequently disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

Gerrard’s side again found the net shortly afterwards when Watkins poked home after Ings had been sent clean through but Villa were this time denied by the offside flag.

Matty Cash forced a stop from de Gea in the 67^th minute as the Villans continued to push but could just not find a way through.

Watkins curled a low effort narrowly off target before Martínez was called into action to deny Mason Greenwood.

Villa pressed as the tie entered the final stages but they were denied by United, who held out to secure a fourth-round meeting with Middlesbrough.