Manchester United vs Aston Villa 3-2: Premier League – as it happened

When United went into the tunnel down 0-2, it seemed like more of the same after what has been a tough season in all competitions for the side.

But the manner in which they picked themselves up and then imposed upon Aston Villa in the second half showed plenty of intent.

The efforts of their front three, Garnacho, Rashford and Hojlund, ensured they picked up the three points despite the odds and the fans will be buzzing about this result as we head into the new year.

As for the Villans, they will feel hard done by as they dropped points for the first time this season at home on Friday, before failing to convert a lead against United at Old Trafford today.

With this result, United enter the top six of the table, while Villa hold down third place.

Thank you for keeping us company and we look forward to you joining us again as we continue to cover select Premier League matches this season.

Old Trafford unleashes a collective roar as the referee blows the final whistle.

United’s unbeaten Boxing Day run continues unimpeded as they successfully come back from 0-2 in the first half, to win 3-2.

Garnacho led the way with a brace, before Hojlund placed the cherry on top with a debut goal for Manchester United.

Emery will feel like this was an opportunity missed after having United on the floor, but credit to ten Hag in his ability to motivate his troops to a higher level, which was evident today.

Full-time: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

The Red Devils are looking to run down the clock as much as possible, while leaving themselves open to instigate a counter where appropriate.

Emery is urging on his men to produce one last moment of brilliance as the match nears its conclusion.

90+9 mins: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

Eriksen and Garnacho are shown plenty of love by the fans as they are whisked off the pitch.

In their place comes on Daniel Gore and Hannibal Mejbri.

90+5 mins: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

After making a long run from the left side, the Argentinian is closed down by his marker as he tries to fire a shot past him at the top of the box.

Antony was just to the right of him but given how Garnacho is a goal away from a hat-trick, it is unsurprising he chose not to pass.

90+2 mins: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

Given how much has gone down in this second half, we will have nine more minutes of added time.

The announcement is predictably met with much groaning and moaning from the home fans.

90 mins: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

Hojlund is given a hero’s send-off after putting the home side ahead in the dying embers of the match.

He is replaced by Willy Kambwala.

89 mins: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

With not much time left on the clock, Emery opts to take off goal-scorers McGinn and Dendoncker for Jhon Duran and Tim Iroegbunam.

86 mins: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

United come from 2-0 down to go up 3-2 thanks to Hojlund!

The goal comes from a corner taken on the left side.

The ball lands perfectly for the Danish international, who is able to volley it to the top left of the goal to send Old Trafford into sheer ecstasy.

They have earned this after putting in an immense collective performance after two goals went past them in the space of five minutes in the first half.

82 mins: Manchester United 3-2 Aston Villa

Antony and Scott McTominay are brought on for an ailing Rashford and Mainoo respectively.

81 mins: Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

Bailey and Ramsey are taken off in favour of Moussa Diaby and Nicolo Zaniolo for Aston Villa.

78 mins: Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

Villa almost score the go-ahead goal just minutes after Douglas’s own goal.

The ball ends up at the feet of Luiz, who aims for the bottom right of the goal.

Onana is beaten all ends up, given the close range of the opportunity, but Evans is positioned in the right place to stick his right boot out and stop the ball from going past the line.

Fernandes is booked soon after after his protest at how quickly the initial free kick which led up to the play was taken.

73 mins: Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

With just more than 20 minutes left, both ten Hag and Emery are willing their troops on given the current scoreline.

Garnacho answers the call with a shot on goal, which gets a crucial deflection off Carlos’s leg as Martinez ends up diving the wrong way.

71 mins: Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

Rashford delivers a cross from the left side, with the Danish international being his intended receiver.

After receiving the ball, Hojlund makes a run for it as he creates just enough separation from his marker.

Carlos brings him down from the back, with the United players and supporters screaming for an instant penalty.

However, the linesman stands all on his own as he raises the flag to signal offside on the play.

66 mins: Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

After his marker slips, Garnacho makes a bee-line for the net from the right side.

With Hojlund available inside the box, the Argentinian decides instead to try his luck instead.

He aims for the near post but ends up straying wide.

Hojlund is visibly upset at his strike partner, and for good reason, after that attempt.

64 mins: Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

Bailey has a wonderful opportunity at the net as the ball finds him inside the box.

He tries to go to the left of Onana from point-blank range but the Cameroonian makes a wonderful reflex save, which not only stops the initial chance but also prevents any kind of rebound.

61 mins: Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

Garnacho slots past Martinez as this time, there should be no doubt about the veracity of the goal.

A blunder from the Aston Villa defence allows for a quick counter to be sprung.

The ball once again finds Rashford as he is clean on goal on the left side.

Garnacho is open on the far right and Rashford coolly passes it through, with Garnacho easing the ball into the right side of the net.

United thoroughly deserved that after the good work they have put in so far this half.

59 mins: Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

Fernandes tries his luck at the top of the box as he goes to the far post.

However, Martinez makes an excellent dive to his right to stop the chance.

57 mins: Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa