Aston Villa defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday, preventing the Red Devils from rising to the top of the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes missed a stoppage-time penalty.
Minutes after Kortney Hause's late headed goal gave Villa their first win against United since December 2009, the Portuguese midfielder blazed his 93rd-minute spot-kick over the bar.
Despite having the greatest attacking record in the league and a star-studded lineup that included Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Fernandes, Paul Pogba, and Mason Greenwood, United drew a blank for the first time this season. Last week's match-winner at West Ham, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, and Jesse Lingard, were all unused replacements, and Edinson Cavani only entered the fray with eight minutes remaining.
United have now lost three of their last four games in all competitions, having exited the League Cup on Wednesday and losing a late winner in their Champions League debut against Young Boys the week before. The visitors squandered several golden opportunities, but were eventually rewarded for their efforts in a frenetic climax.
Hause beat Cavani at the near post at a corner in the 88th minute to give Villa the lead before conceding a penalty for handling a Cavani header. In a thrilling finale to the game, Fernandes, who was on spot-kick duty ahead of Ronaldo, missed.
In the 16th minute, Villa's first clear-cut chance of the game was missed when defender Matt Targett blasted over at the back post. Lingard's misjudged back pass cost United a point in the Champions League against Young Boys, and Harry Maguire nearly did the same at Old Trafford.
The erroneous back ball from the United skipper caused David de Gea to make a hasty clearance. Villa striker Ollie Watkins' attempt, however, was too close to the Spaniard.
Ezri Konsa was the next Villa player to squander a golden opportunity, heading wide from six yards. In the second half, visiting goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was called upon to deny Greenwood, but the away side continued to have the upper hand
Watkins drew another excellent save from De Gea, and young midfielder Jacob Ramsey lacked poise in front of goal as Villa appeared to have passed up a rare Old Trafford victory before the thrilling finish.
