Manchester United ensured the Old Trafford faithful had something to smile on their final journey back home for this season with a win against Aston Villa.
Man Utd’s 2-0 win vs Aston Villa showcased the best and worst of this team, only the best was so overpowering here that the worst got covered.
United created a bucketload of chances but still needed the referee’s help to stay level, before finally scoring via Amad and then glossing it up via Christian Eriksen’s penalty.
The goalscorers and potential departures will generate the buzz, but a 65-touch Man Utd ace also solidified his breakout vs Villa.
He is on the road to becoming a genuine star next season.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ayden Heaven shone vs Aston Villa
It wasn’t a signing that anybody expected to have this big an impact, especially in limited playing time, but Ayden Heaven has surpassed all expectations.
Shaking off an injury, Heaven made his first start in the last game of the season against a determined Villa side playing for UCL qualification.
In Ollie Watkins, Heaven was up against one of the best strikers in the Premier League. Granted, United played so well that he was barely tested, but that’s the test for a defender in an elite squad, which United eventually hope to be.
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Heaven didn’t put a foot wrong all game, with his bossing of Watkins in a one-on-one situation particularly memorable before Watkins’ blushes were spared by the offside flag.
Heaven regularly strode forward with elegance as well, beating the opposition off the dribble and playing raking passes from deep.
He finished the game with 65 touches, completing 91% of his passes (43/47), and having two shots at goal in the process while creating one chance as stats via Sofascore show below.
Ayden Heaven stats vs Aston Villa, May 25, 2025
Ayden Heaven stats vs Aston Villa, May 25, 2025
Heaven can become a genuine star next season
It is remarkable what Heaven has managed to do despite coming into a chaotic team in the middle of the season in a difficult position where every mistake can be a goal for the opposition.
With a complete pre-season under Amorim plus shaking off his injury worries, Heaven can become what Leny Yoro was before completing his move to Old Trafford last summer.
He’s already forced his way into Amorim’s first-team plans despite the manager seeing him as an academy arrival.
The next step will be to stay injury-free and keep up this form which will undeniably turn him into a genuine star next season.
Not bad for a £1 million signing made from a rival!