Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United: McTominay scores late winner as Red Devils edge Villans
Manchester United moved up the Premier League table and kept their European qualification hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, thanks to a late goal from super sub Scott McTominay.
Erik ten Hag's United are sixth with 41 points after their third consecutive victory, five points behind fifth-placed Villa, who would have moved up to fourth with a win. United are six points from fourth place and a Champions League berth next season.
"Every game you win is massive for taking a step forward and confidence for the boys," McTominay, whose seven goals make him the highest-scoring substitute in the league this season, told Sky Sports.
"It is all positive but it is about repeating it and not getting too far ahead of ourselves when we win a few. We've got to repeat it now."
Ten Hag praised McTominay for his positive attitude as a substitute.
"He is an example for many players these days. There are not many players any more who are ready for every minute they can be on the pitch," the manager told the BBC. "Today we have seen another example. He is always ready to come on and make a difference."
Rasmus Hojlund put United ahead in the 17th minute, knocking in Harry Maguire's header from close range through keeper Emi Martinez's legs. It was his fifth goal in five league games and 11th overall.
United goalkeeper Andre Onana made several huge saves to keep Villa out until Douglas Luiz equalised in the 67th minute.
Onana made another superb save to deny Clement Lenglet, but Luiz was there to score the rebound, celebrating with a shoulder shimmy in front of Onana's goal.
But United had the last laugh, with Scotland's McTominay coming on in the 73rd minute and scoring the winner in the 86th, leaping to head Diogo Dalot's excellent cross past Martinez.
A delighted Ten Hag punched the air in celebration.
"I feel like as long as I'm fit and healthy I can come on to the pitch and perform. I don't take it personally, I just want to come in and try and do the best I can for this. Long may it continue," McTominay said.
"It was an unbelievable cross to be fair, whipped with a lot of pace. I just needed it to hit my head and get it on target. Full credit to the boys, we created a lot of good chances which may go unnoticed."
Villa had 10 shots on goal to United's five, and they had 55.9% possession.
"Great spirit and fight to come back and Scott is the match-winner again," Maguire told Sky. "It's an amazing feeling but we'd like to make it a little more easy for ourselves.
"Scott has come on in numerous games this year and made the difference for us. We had to dig deep in the second half; I think we did in the end and deserved the win."
Villa manager Unai Emery said the outcome was difficult to accept.
"But that is football," he said. "We played like we planned and we deserved more."
SportsLigue