As it happened: Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa : Fernandes penalty wins it for United

Thanks for joining us on VAVEL.com for live coverage of Manchester United's win over Aston Villa.

I've been your host, James Ridge (@JRidge_Journo), giving you all the details as United go joint top of the league, with a trip to Anfield on the horizon.

What a season the Premier League is throwing up for us!

United hang on!

They took the lead through Martial in the first half thanks to a Mings mistake.

Traore pulled on back for Villa with a composed finish from close range.

However, Fernandes grabbed what would turn out to be the winner with a clinical penalty.

All in all, a deserved win for United which puts them joint top with Liverpool.

However Villa showed yet again why they've been getting so many plaudits, every player in black putting in a solid performance.

A game winning block from Bailly to prevent a certain goal!

Cash strikes it from miles out and forces a flying save out of De Gea

Corner to Villa

Can Villa find a crucial equaliser

Matic booked for a foul on Grealish

Shaw booked for a cynical foul

James picks the ball up on the edge of the area, but a deflection takes the sting out of his shot and Martinez comfortably saves

Fernandes is replaced by James

Davis almost makes an instant impact, but heads a few yards wide

Davis replace El Ghazi, a brilliant showing from the Egyptian winger yet again

They almost do!

Cash's delivery was sublime to find Mings, who can't find the target from close range!

Grealish and El Ghazi winning free kicks in United's half, can Villa capitalise?

The chances have dried up a bit, but the tempo and intensity from both teams is still admirably high

Traore is replaced by Ramsey

Rashford picks up the ball in an identical position to Fernandes' previous effort before unleashing an effort that is just whiskers over the bar

Perhaps the save of the season!

Fernandes finds the ball 20 yards out before striking a dipping effort which Martinez tips on the the bar acrobatically

More brilliant play by United to get Shaw in behind again, but his cross is blocked behind for a corner

Another brilliant cross from Grealish finds Watkins' head but he glances his effort just wide

Shaw breaks down the left before pulling it back to Pogba, but his effort whistles just wide of the post

El Ghazi fizzes a low effort which is parried away by De Gea

Martial works his way into the box before rifling a shot off, which is well saved by Martinez 

 

Shaw gets in behind Cash who slips, and the ref blows for a foul.

Confusing...

Another delicious ball from Grealish which Wan-Bissaka struggles to clear at the back post

Brilliant ball by Fernandes to Rashford who cuts inside but hits it straight at Martinez

Matic comes on for McTominay

Fernandes makes no mistake!

Martinez dives the right way but the power and precision of the shot get the better of him

Pogba goes down under challenge from Luiz and wins a penalty. VAR are checking...

Villa are level!

A quick free-kick finds Grealish, who picks out Traore at the back post in space.

His composed finish nestles under De Gea into the back of the net

Rashford with his now trademark chop inside before striking the ball low, but Martinez gets across to save

Bailly goes into the book after a harsh challenge on McGinn

Villa break as Grealish picks out El Ghazi, but his volley is comfortably over

Grealish finds Watkins in the area who heads the ball back across De Gea, but the Spaniard parries it over with a strong hand

Troare bursts down the right before finding Cash on the overlap, but his cross is narrowly over the bar

Rashford unexpectedly gets to the byline before pulling the ball back, but Martinez holds it well at his near post

Rashford makes a darting run but McTominay doesn't spot it and misplaces a pass to Wan-Bissaka instead

Villa get us back underway!

 

The referee brings an enthralling first half to a close.

Martial gave United the lead after a brilliant header capitalising on Mings' mistake.

Both teams have come to win here, win chances flowing at either end. 

The intensity is sublime from both teams, let's hope they keep it up the the second half...

 

A lot has been said about Wan-Bissaka's attacking capabilities, but that assist is reward for a brilliant game so far.

He's been a part of everything United have offered going forward

Corner to Villa

Villa will need to pick themselves up after that goal, they've been simply sublime so far

United take the lead in bizzare circumstances.

Wan-Bissaka breaks down the right before pulling a cross back for Martial, who stoops low to head home after Mings misses the ball completely. 

 

Villa win a free kick in a dangerous place thanks to some Traore theatrics, but justice is served as he send his effort comically wide

Maguire finds Shaw superbly on the left, he then finds Fernandes inside the box who turns and shoots, but his effort is inches wide

Villa's midfield have been sublime so far containing the threat United pose

Corner Villa

United sustaining pressure now.

Beautiful one touch football leads to them winning a corner

United break as Rashford travels 60 yards with the ball before finding Pogba, but his effort flashes wide

Cash with a brilliant cross from deep towards Watkins which Bailly clears in desperate fashion

Villa starting to work their way into the game

Luiz flashes a ball across the six-yard area but Wan-Bissaka clears

Brilliant work by Wan-Bissaka and Rashford down the right before the former picks out Fred on the edge of the box, whose effort whistles over the bar

The tempo of this game so far has been electric, a drastic improvement on the last game Old Trafford hosted

Straight up the other end, Grealish breaks down the right and picks out McGinn with his cross.

However, De Gea saves well at his near post

Maguire meets a corner well but his header is straight at Martinez

United work the ball well to Martial on the edge of the box.

He tries to curl one into the far top corner but is met with a magnificent save by Martinez

United with the majority of possession so far and looking far more dangerous than they did against Wolves

Martial almost plays himself in after a mistake by Konsa but the defender does well to recover

Fernandes gets in behind down the right but his cross is blocked into the arms of Martinez

United attack down the left again but Pogba's final ball lets him down

United start as they mean to go on as Pogba and Fernandes link up well, both of which finding space in the box.

A combination of one too many touches and good defending sees the ball go out for a goal kick

We're underway at Old Trafford!

The players take the pitch as kick off fast approaches

 

A reminder that the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at 20:00 GMT

With four recognised midfielders in the lineup, will we see United revert back to their tried and tested diamond?

The clock is ticking down to kick off!

What do you think the score will be?

Let us know on twitter, @VAVEL and @JRidge_Journo

Captain Jack Grealish starts for Villa tonight, but it's perhaps Anwar El-Ghazi that will need the most attention.

The wide man has scored five goals in his last five games and will be looking to add to his impressive streak

Here's how Aston Villa will line up tonight

Here's how the Red Devils will line up tonight

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Follow along with us all for all the details, analysis and lineups from Manchester United vs Aston Villa

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports tomorrow with coverage starting from around 19:30 GMT.

However, if you can't watch the game, fear not. You can keep up to date with the game live here on VAVEL.com

Aston Villa have Tyrone Mings available after serving a one-match ban.

Ross Barkley is expected to be fit for the first time since he sustained a hamstring injury early in the home defeat against Brighton on 21 November.

Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani will begin a three-match ban after pleading guilty to a misconduct charge relating to a social media post.

Defender Victor Lindelof missed the win over Wolves because of a back problem and could be absent again.

After scraping past relegation last season, Aston Villa have become perhaps the surprise package of the season so far.

A 7-2 home win over Liverpool got tongues wagging, and they haven't disappointed since. 

The currently sit fifth with at least one game in hand on the teams around them.

United go into tomorrow's game in great form.

After their last-minute win against Wolves, United are now unbeaten in two whole months in the league, last losing to Arsenal on November 1st

Welcome to VAVEL UK's LIVE coverage of Manchester United vs Aston Villa in the Premier League.

My name is James Ridge and I'll be your host for this game. We'll provide you with pre-game analysis, team updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.com

Manchester United vs Aston Villa will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester. Kick off time is scheduled for 20:00 BST