Manchester United's 23-match unbeaten away run against Aston Villa ends

Unai Emery won his first game as the manager of Aston Villa.

The 20-time English champions, Manchester United had won 15 and drawn eight of their last 23 league fixtures away from home against Aston Villa, which is the longest unbeaten away run a side has had against another in the history of the Premier League.

Each of the previous nine managers to face the Red Devils in their first Premier League match prior to Unai Emery had lost all. Unai Emery secured Aston Villa's first Premier League home win over Manchester United since 1995.

Aston Villa's new manager tasted victory in his first game in charge as his side beat Manchester United 3-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, the visitors' first defeat in 10 matches in all competitions. The last time Emery faced United was during the 2021-22 Champions League group stage as Villarreal's boss. Manchester United emerged victorious on both occasions.

Unai Emery, who had previously managed Arsenal, was given a warm welcome by home supporters ahead of the game. Undoubtedly, he could not have wished for a better start to life back in the Premier League. It was also Villa's first home league win against United in their last 24 attempts, a run stretching back to 1995.

The hosts scored two goals within the first 12 minutes through Leon Bailey's strike and Lucas Digne's brilliant free-kick as United were left at sea. Villa were all over United, who lacked shape and ambition going forward. After Luke Shaw's long-ranger deflected off a Villa shirt and went into the net, United tried to register a comeback.

Tempers flared as the match reached its climax, but Manchester United could not muster a comeback, losing for the first time at Villa Park in the league since 1995 to stay fifth in the standings as a well-deserved victory lifted Villa to 14th.