Man United beat Aston Villa to boast UCL bid

Manchester United maintained their Champions League charge after a VAR blunder sparked a 3-0 Premier League win at Aston Villa.

Bruno Fernandes’ contentious penalty – after he appeared to tread on Ezri Konsa – gave the visitors the platform for victory at Villa Park.

Referee Jon Moss gave the spot-kick and his decision was backed up by VAR official Graham Scott, much to Villa’s disbelief and fury.

Mason Greenwood’s missile and Paul Pogba’s first goal for 453 days then saw United extend their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions in another statement of intent.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men closed the gap on fourth-placed Leicester to a point. Fifth-placed United go to the King Power Stadium on the final day of the season.

Villa raged about the penalty but defeat was another hammer blow to their dwindling hopes of avoiding the drop.

Trezeguet hit the post just before Fernandes’ opener, but Dean Smith’s side remain four points from safety with just four games left – starting at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

United marched on to keep the pressure on the top four in what looks set to be an increasingly frantic race for Europe.