Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United: Villans claim huge win in Unai Emery opener

Unai Emery's first game in charge of Aston Villa couldn't have gone better as they beat Manchester United 3-1 at Villa Park.

A 23-game league winless streak at home to the Red Devils spanning 9,941 days ended on Sunday as Steven Gerrard's successor oversaw a 3-1 victory in their first match in the league. charge.

Leon Bailey struck in and Lucas Digne netted a delicious free-kick in the opening 11 minutes at Villa Park, where Jacob Ramsey atoned for deflecting in a Luke Shaw strike by scoring a fine effort just after half-time to Emery's delight. side.

The Spaniard was recently brought back to the Premier League after a successful spell at Villarreal, which notably led him to a first major trophy by beating United on penalties in the 2021 Europa League final.

Villa Park erupted at the final whistle, as did after Bailey burst in to punish laxity in defense before Digne bent a superb free-kick past David De Gea.

Ramsey provided the first goal and earned the foul that led to the second, before inadvertently scoring an own goal as he deflected Shaw's hopeful strike to cut the deficit before the break.

The impact of Villa's talent didn't end there, however, as the 21-year-old headed home early in the second half to wrap up the win, becoming only the fourth player in Premier League history with one goal, one assist and one own goal. in the same game.

The result ends United's nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and sets up an interesting meeting in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.

Emery's side will travel to Old Trafford full of confidence after their long-awaited home win against the Red Devils, who fell behind after seven minutes on Sunday.

Victor Lindelof's hassle against Ollie Watkins put him out of position and the striker capitalized playing to Ramsey, who sent Bailey scampering into the vacant space to strike a superb left-footed low in front De Gea.

Bailey danced in celebration after a seventh-minute opener that Villa added four minutes later.

Shaw was booked for a foul on Ramsey and Digne stepped up the resulting free kick, sending home an exceptional strike 22 yards past the Holte End.

It was a miserable start from United which recalled some of their other recent embarrassments and Emiliano Buendia threatened to make matters worse by straying narrowly.

Matty Cash led a more upbeat effort as the visitors continued to stutter, although Emiliano Martinez - who featured in Emery's last game as Arsenal boss - was called up for two key saves in the 34th minute.

Firstly, the Argentine goalkeeper denied compatriot Alejandro Garnacho a goal on his first Premier League start after the teenager calmly gave way to a drive away.

Martinez then turned down Cristiano Ronaldo as United's substitute skipper saw a powerful diving header saved.

United hadn't created anything else, but a dollop of luck helped them cut the deficit in the 45th minute as Shaw's hard-hitting strike hit Ramsey and hovered over the wrong-footed Martinez.

Donny van de Beek's handball penalty appeals fell on deaf ears in stoppage time - as did, it seems, Erik ten Hag's last-minute instructions in the center circle before the start of the second half.

Bailey was cleared a shot seconds after half-time and Villa restored their two-goal lead in the 49th minute.

Watkins rolled down the left and Lindelof too easily allowed him to cut for the unmarked Ramsey, who superbly hit a first shot to the top right corner.

It was a punch United never recovered from and their frustrations began to bubble up.

There was a VAR check for possible violent conduct after Ronaldo and Tyrone Mings fought in the box, leading to a scrum which saw both players cautioned, but nothing more.

Bailey was left in a heap after Lisandro Martinez appeared to leave something on him.

Ten Hag made changes in an attempt to change the dynamic, but Villa dug deep, with Emery making changes to see a big first win as manager.

It would have been even more memorable if Douglas Luiz had succeeded in his attempt to score directly from a corner in stoppage time.

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