Emiliano Dibu Martinez's Aston Villa arrived at the famous (and discussed) Boxing Day of the Premier League with a mission: to beat Manchester United on the road, add three points, and put pressure on Arsenal at the top of the standings. For now, he is getting the job done.
The first goal, to open the match, was scored by Scotland's John McGinn in the 21st minute of the first half, with a long-range free-kick that snuck into the far post of United goalkeeper André Onana. At least that's what the statistics will say.
Actually, a lot is owed to Jamaican striker Leon Bailey and Spanish coach Unai Emery, for their starring roles in the play.
Before McGinn kicked his free-kick from the sideline, which appeared to come in the form of a cross, Bailey stood behind Onana in a completely uneven location because if the ball went into his position he was ahead.
In the build-up to the 1-0 win, Leon Bailey stands between goalkeeper Onana and the goal line. Photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP.
Mischievous, the Villans attacker smiled at the referee's warning, aware that he had to move as quickly as possible to avoid offside. Their mission, it became clear, was to distract the poor Cameroonian goalkeeper.
The cross arrived, Bailey came out, several tried to head without success and the ball went into the goal to score the 1-0 for the visitors, who scored again a while later and again for a set piece action.
ASTON VILLA'S SET UP: Leon Bailey waited behind Onana before the cross, chipped in and John McGinn ended up scoring with a bit of luck to make it 1-0 to Manchester United in the #PREMIERxESPN. pic.twitter.com/HpckDf85Bl
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) December 26, 2023
This time the cross went to the far post and a series of screens left Lenglet alone, who headed into the six-yard box for Belgian Leander Dendocker to convert with a backheel to make it 2-0 and give Aston Villa the win and the top of the standings.
WHAT A GREAT BACKHEEL GOAL, PLEASE!! Leander Dendoncker and TOTAL INSANITY vs. Manchester United in the #PREMIERxESPN. And now, Old Trafford? pic.twitter.com/N5riwrKmCQ
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) December 26, 2023
And Dibu Martinez? The Argentine goalkeeper had a quiet first half that forced him into some scrambles only when United went 0-2 down with his fans pressing from the stands at Old Trafford.
In the qualifiers, Liverpool beat Burnley
Without Alexis Mac Allister, injured, Liverpool beat Burnley 2-0 away and remained top of the Premier League during the traditional 'Boxing Day', in which Darwin Núñez ended his goal drought.
The Uruguayan opened the scoring with a tight shot from the edge of the area in the 6th minute and at the end Colombian Luis Díaz assisted Portugal's Diogo Jota (90) to close the match.
For Nunez, this goal ended a run of 12 games in all club competitions without scoring, while Jota, returning from a month's injury, scored his 50th goal in a Liverpool shirt.
After draws against Manchester United (0-0) and Arsenal (1-1) in the last two rounds, the Reds returned to the top of the table with 42 points, two more than the Gunners, who close the 19th home game against West Ham (6th) on Thursday.
On the other hand, Burnley remains in the relegation places (19th) and finished the match without having a shot on goal.