Manchester United have moved ahead of Aston Villa and into first place in the “Big Six” head-to-head table after an emphatic victory over the Villans.
After a cagey first half where both sides failed to find a breakthrough, Casemiro gave United another reason to reconsider their decision by breaking the deadlock eight minutes into the second half.
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Ross Barkley drew Villa level shortly after the hour mark, setting the tone for the remaining 25 minutes.
However, late goals from Matheus Cunha and “super sub” Benjamin Sesko, 10 minutes apart, helped the Red Devils seal a crucial 3-1 victory that has added more fuel to their top-four challenge.
United’s win makes them outright leaders in the “Big Six” table, picking up 15 points from eight games.
The defeat did significant damage to Villa’s spot on the log as they plummeted to third place on 12 points, but with a lower points per game (1.5 PPG) than second-placed Manchester City (1.57).
City have yet to add to their tally but will get plenty of chances in the final seven games of the season, with fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Villa still to come.
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It’s as you were for Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool in the bottom three, although the London duo have improved their PPG over the past few weeks.
Liverpool will hope to get more points on the board when they face United, Chelsea, and Villa in the run-in.
Here’s how the “Big Six” head-to-head table stacks up heading into the run-in.
