Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa’s 10-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end courtesy of a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Bruno Fernandes registered the only goal of the game shortly before half-time, converting the rebound after Emi Martínez had parried Marcus Rashford’s low strike.

Casemiro had earlier hit the crossbar for the hosts while Villa were thwarted three times by Victor Lindelof after the break, most notably heading off the goal-line to keep out Douglas Luiz’s effort, before Tyrone Mings went close with a late header.

The narrow reverse ends an unbeaten sequence which had produced a superb eight wins, two draws and seven clean sheets since mid-February.

It was also only a second away Premier League defeat under Unai Emery as Villa drew a blank for the first time in 21 matches under the Spaniard.

Villa will now be looking to get back on track when they travel to midlands neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend.

Unai Emery named an unchanged starting XI for the fourth successive match, keeping faith with the same line-up who started Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Fulham, as well as the draw at Brentford and win over Newcastle United.

Villa went into the clash unbeaten in three league matches against United, including two victories, having won just twice in their previous 51 league meetings.

It was United who threatened first, Martínez making a superb save with his legs to thwart Rashford, minutes after the United striker had raced through and slotted wide prior to the offside flag being raised.

Marcel Sabitzer lashed over the crossbar as the hosts continued to post an attacking threat, with Álex Moreno’s drilled effort forcing a solid save from David De Gea after 19 minutes.

Casemiro rattled the crossbar from just inside the penalty area before the half-hour mark, with Villa going on to get a foothold in the game.

Yet it was the hosts who opened the scoring shortly before half-time as Martínez parried Rashford’s low effort and Fernandes was on hand to convert the rebound.

The United skipper then forced another stop from Martínez as the home side led at the interval.

The visitors started the second half on the front foot and Lindelof flicked away Ashley Young’s cross with Ollie Watkins approaching.

Lindelof was again at the rescue for the hosts to deny Ramsey, with head coach Emery turning to Bertrand Traoré and Calum Chambers off the bench just after the hour.

Casemiro found the side-netting in the 73^rd minute before Martínez cleared the danger from Fernandes’ low cross.

Emery introduced Lucas Digne and Jhon Durán in a bid to force a late leveller, and they almost got it when Luiz saw his effort cleared off the line by the head of Lindelof once more.

Mings thought he had rescued a late point but United held on to inflict defeat on the Villans.