Manchester United gave their supporters something to cheer at the end of a dismal 2024-25 Premier League campaign, with the Red Devils recording a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
The result has seen Man United finish in 15th spot in the Premier League table, while it is Champions League heartache for Villa, with the visitors finishing the season in sixth, missing out on the top five.
Villa, who will instead play in the league stage of the Europa League last term, were reduced to 10 men in the latter stages of the first period, with Emiliano Martinez, potentially on his final appearance for Unai Emery's side, was sent off for barging Rasmus Hojlund to the ground after vacating his goal in a bid to meet a poor back-pass from Matty Cash.
There was a hugely controversial moment late on, with Morgan Rogers finishing into the back of the net after a mistake from Altay Bayindir, but the referee had blown his whistle just before for a perceived foul on the Man United goalkeeper, which was incredibly soft.
The Red Devils then took the lead in the 76th minute of the match, with Amad Diallo heading a cross from Bruno Fernandes into the back of the net, before Christian Eriksen scored from the penalty spot on his final appearance for the club to double the home side's advantage.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Where was this performance in the Europa League final? Where have performances of this type been in the Premier League?
This was much more like it from Man United, with the Red Devils putting in their best display for some time, but the fact that it came in a pressure-free match for them is telling.
Man United supporters made their feelings clear throughout the contest, as they sung Amorim's name, and the Portuguese is set to stay with the club this summer, but the same cannot be said for the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Andre Onana, who were both left out of the squad.
On the balance of play, it was a richly-deserved win for the home side considering the amount of chances that they created, but this match will be remembered for a hugely controversial moment in the second period.
The referee blowing his whistle before Rogers put the ball in the back of the net meant that the VAR could not intervene on the Villa 'goal', and Emery made his feelings known in the moments after, more so after Man United took the lead.
Eriksen then scored from the penalty spot to take the game away from Villa, who will play in the Europa League next term.
As for Man United, there was a feel-good factor around Old Trafford at the final whistle, and it is now shaping up to be a very important summer transfer window for the 20-time English champions.
MAN UNITED VS. ASTON VILLA HIGHLIGHTS
45th min: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa) red card
Madness from Emi Martinez 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 25, 2025
A poor backpass from Cash, Hojlund jumps on to it, and as he tries to round Martinez, the Argentinian stopper takes him out and is dismissed 🟥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/lqMDxNuDSK
Villa are reduced to 10 men in the latter stages of the first period, as Martinez barges Hojlund to the ground after the Denmark international had put the ball past the Argentine following a terrible back-pass from Cash.
Pau Torres was on the cover, but Martinez completely took Hojlund out, and it is a big moment in this match.
Amad Diallo goal vs. Aston Villa (77th min, Man United 1-0 Aston Villa)
FINALLY Man Utd have the breakthrough... and it's Amad Diallo with it 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 25, 2025
Great ball from Fernandes and Diallo sneaks in at the back post to head home ⚽️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wQPHF2RubV
Man United take the lead in the 77th minute of the match, as Amad heads a deep cross from Fernandes into the back of the net from a narrow angle - that is a wonderful effort from the Ivory Coast international.
Christian Eriksen goal vs. Aston Villa (87th min, Man United 2-0 Aston Villa)
A beautiful send-off for Christian Eriksen, as he slots home a penalty to put Man Utd 2-0 ahead, on his final appearance for the club 🥹
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 25, 2025
Maatsen clips Diallo in the area, and Bruno hands over to Eriksen for his final foray for the club ❤️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/LXo4rlazsj
Man United double their lead in the 87th minute, as Eriksen scores from the penalty spot; Amad had been fouled by Ian Maatsen inside the box, and Fernandes allowed Eriksen to take it on his final appearance for the club.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRUNO FERNANDES
© Iconsport
Man United simply cannot lose their captain this summer; Fernandes has faced criticism for his performance in the Europa League final, but he was back to his best at Old Trafford, with the Portuguese running the show during a five-star performance.
Fernandes put in a wonderful cross for Amad to make the breakthrough, while he made three tackles and finished with a pass success rate of 94% during a brilliant display in Manchester.
The attacker could have scored from the penalty spot in the latter stages, but he instead gave the ball to Eriksen to score, with the Denmark international smashing it past Villa's number two goalkeeper to double Man United's advantage.
MAN UNITED VS. ASTON VILLA MATCH STATS
Possession: Man United 67%-33% Aston Villa
Shots: Man United 24-6 Aston Villa
Shots on target: Man United 10-1 Aston Villa
Corners: Man United 4-3 Aston Villa
Fouls: Man United 10-10 Aston Villa
BEST STATS
Emiliano Martinez is the first goalkeeper to be sent off in the Premier League this season. 🟥#MUNAVL pic.twitter.com/jYQ0kxw57D
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 25, 2025
1 - Emiliano Martínez is the first goalkeeper Opta has on record since 2003-04 to make five saves and get sent off in the first half of a Premier League game. Rollercoaster. pic.twitter.com/LUr32sfNcs
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 25, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Man United are heading to the airport this evening to fly out on their post-season tour of Asia, with the Red Devils set to face ASEAN All Stars on May 28 and Hong Kong, China on May 30; the Red Devils will then begin their pre-season against Leeds United on July 19.
As for Villa, Emery's side will play their first friendly of the summer against Walsall on July 16, and it is shaping up to be a very interesting transfer window for the club.
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Matt Law
