Manchester United boosted their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League with a hard-fought victory over Aston Villa, thanks to late goals from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
The match at Old Trafford lacked quality in the first half but came alive after the break, with United captain Bruno Fernandes playing a central role in the home side’s victory.
United had earlier been denied when goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez produced a strong save to keep out a goal-bound effort from Bryan Mbeumo.
Fernandes then delivered a dangerous near-post corner that was flicked on by Casemiro, the ball looping over Martínez and in off the far post to give United the lead.
Villa responded 11 minutes later when Ross Barkley, making his first Premier League start in over a year, fired home a quick finish to bring the visitors level.
United regained control in the closing stages.
Fernandes threaded a precise through ball behind the Villa defence, allowing Cunha to race clear and slot a low shot into the far corner.
Substitute Sesko then wrapped up the victory when his turning effort deflected past Martínez, taking his tally to eight goals in his last 10 matches.
The result leaves United third in the Premier League and gives interim manager Michael Carrick a sixth consecutive home victory - a feat only bettered at the start of Premier League managerial reigns by Sven-Göran Eriksson, Carlo Ancelottiand Manuel Pellegrini.
Villa, meanwhile, have now lost three league matches in a row and have won just three of their last 12, leaving their Champions League hopes increasingly uncertain.
Veteran midfielder Casemiro once again proved his value for United with an influential performance.
The Brazilian scored his sixth headed goal of the league campaign - more than any other player - and produced a number of important defensive interventions.
As Villa pushed for a second equaliser late in the match, Casemiro calmly broke up a dangerous attack inside his own penalty area before clearing the ball to safety.
When he was substituted in stoppage time, the Old Trafford crowd responded with loud applause, with many supporters chanting for the 34-year-old to be given a new contract despite his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
For Villa manager Unai Emery, the return of captain John McGinn to the starting lineup was a welcome boost.
However, Villa struggled to create consistent attacking pressure, often relying on long balls aimed toward striker Ollie Watkins.
Defenders Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire largely kept Watkins quiet, limiting the striker’s impact on the game.
Villa’s frustrations were summed up late on when several players crowded the six-yard box but still failed to find a way past United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
After narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day of last season, Villa now face the possibility of falling short once again unless their form improves in the closing weeks of the campaign.
