Title dream kept alive: Mighty Villa kill United for tenth straight win!

Without four starters, Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo, who joined their respective national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and the suspended Casemiro, and - since the start of the second half - without the injured captain Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United couldn't do much harm to the soaring Aston Villa - a team on a nine-win run.

The Red Devils put up a good fight but were unable to avoid defeat against title contenders and the third-placed Premier League side - 2-1.

FALSE 10: Good ebening, Mr Brad Pitt

The Manchester side was more than good in the first half and on par with the Villans, who were still the first to throw a punch in the wild finish of the opening period.

In the penultimate minute before the break, Morgan Rogers netted a screamer, but the visitors bounced back after only four minutes through Matheus Cunha following Matty Cash's massive mistake.

Still, the second half was a whole new story, as United were unrecognizable without Bruno - and with the centre-back Lisandro Martinez as his replacement?! - and Unai Emery's men exploited the situation to quickly get the lead back, once again thanks to the outstanding Rogers, who set the final score in the 58th minute.

Much fighting, numerous uncompromising duels, but little concrete opportunities on either side. That was the epilogue of the first 44 minutes of the derby clash at Villa Park.

On one side, several long-range efforts of Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha and one colossal chance for Benjamin Sesko, which Emiliano Martinez stopped. On the other side, two decent situations for Ian Maatsen and John McGinn.

But why 44 minutes? Well, because the final minute of the first half and the third minute of added time brought two goals - one for each rival!

Morgan Rogers broke the deadlock with a skilful solo effort and a genuine banger, but the Villans' joy lasted for only four minutes, as Patrick Dorgu stole the ball from Matty Cash dangerously close to the home team's box and passed it to Cunha, who didn't have mercy, levelling the score in the nick of time - 1-1!

When Solskjaer wanted Jude, Declan and Erling

Nevertheless, the half-time break gave another headache to United fans, as Bruno was forced to leave the pitch after picking up a hamstring injury shortly before the end of the opening period. Ruben Amorim's move was even more befuddling, as he replaced his best and most influential player with - Lisandro Martinez, a centre back?!

It's unclear whether the Portuguese gaffer wanted to send a message that he'd defend the eventual draw, but Unai Emery understood it so, urged his players to attack, and it quickly paid off, as Rogers put Villa back in front, completing a brace in the 58th minute, with a powerful effort following Ollie Watkins' clever back pass.

Still, the Red Devils refused to give up despite all the troubles. Cunha wasted a massive chance sending a header wide off the post from close range in the 67th minute, while Amorim tried to pursue an equalizer with Joshua Zirkzee coming off the bench. However, everything was in vain. The keys to the Birmingham side's defence were in Martinez's hands, who strongly held them, just like he caught every ball that came near his goal.

The victory against United extended Villa's winning streak to ten (?!) and kept their title dream alive, as the leading duo, Arsenal and Man City, are only three and two points away, respectively. On the other hand, the Red Devils are now seventh, three points behind Liverpool and the Champions League zone.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 17

Saturday

Newcastle - Chelsea 2-2 (2-0)

/Woltemade 4, 20 - James 49, Pedro 66/

Bournemouth - Burnley 1-1 (0-0)

/Semenyo 67 - Broja 90/

Brighton - Sunderland 0-0

Manchester City - West Ham 3-0 (2-0)

/Haaland 5, 69, Reijnders 38/

Wolverhampton - Brentford 0-2 (0-0)

/Lewis-Potter 63, 83/

Tottenham - Liverpool 1-2 (0-0)

/Richarlison 83 - Isak 56, Ekitike 66/

Everton - Arsenal 0-1 (0-1)

/Gyokeres 27 pen/

Leeds United - Crystal Palace 4-1 (2-0)

/Calwert-Lewin 38, 45+4, Ampadu 60, Stach 90+11 - Devenny 90+2 pen/

Sunday

Aston Villa - Manchester United 2-1 (1-1)

/Rogers 45, 58 - Cunha 45+3/

Monday

23.00: (2.50) Fulham (3.30) Nott.Forest (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***