United may have wobbled with a defeat at St James’ Park in their last outing, but a return to Old Trafford promised much.
The Red Devils controlled much of the first half, but finding a breakthrough was proving elusive, as Amad Diallo found out when he was inches away from getting his head on Matheus Cunha’s teasing delivery from the left.
It was actually an Amad header which served as the game’s first big chance, when one of the smallest players on the pitch turned a header goalwards, which forced Emiliano Martinez into a fine one-handed save to divert the ball away to safety.
The first half certainly fell some way short of living up to its Super Sunday billing, with a shot from Bryan Mbeumo which was closer to going out for a throw-in than nestling in the back of the net, somewhat summing up just how poor the opening 45 minutes were.
That lack of quality was never more evident than on the stroke of half-time, when Diogo Dalot ghosted in behind Lucas Digne and opened the goal up after a lovely first touch, only for his second touch to be a wild swing of his left boot, which saw his strike rise a long way over the crossbar.
United had no such struggles after the break, nosing ahead within 10 minutes of the restart.
There was an element of simplicity about how it arrived - from a set-piece - but there was nothing simplistic about Casemiro’s header as he darted across the front post to guide Bruno Fernandes’ corner past a desperate Martinez.
That goal seemed to be the wake-up call Villa needed, and they almost hit back straight away when Amadou Onana stung the palms of Senne Lammens.
The United stopper was helpless just moments later, though, as the unmarked Ross Barkley swept home on his left foot at the far post to quickly dash the mood inside Old Trafford.
But just as quickly as the hosts lost the lead, they managed to regain it. It was little surprise to see Fernandes involved, threading an inch-perfect pass in behind for Cunha to stride clear on goal, and the Brazilian made no mistake in slotting into the far corner.
That took Fernandes to 16 Premier League assists this term, more than any United player has ever managed in a single campaign, and the game was wrapped up nine minutes from time when substitute Benjamin Sesko came off the bench and, by virtue of a double deflection, doubled the hosts’ lead.
Victory moves United three points clear of Villa, who must dust themselves down ahead of the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last 16 tie with Lille.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
