The victory provides United with a crucial three-point cushion in third place. After a goalless first half, Casemiro opened the scoring from a Fernandes corner, and although Ross Barkley equalised for Villa, goals from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko ensured the points stayed in Manchester. With no European fixtures to contend with mid-week, the Red Devils will return to action in the Premier League with a trip to face Bournemouth on Friday night.