Manchester United secured a vital three points in their quest for Champions League football, as they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park on Sunday. Scott McTominay scored the winner in the 86th minute, after Douglas Luiz had cancelled out Rasmus Hojlund’s opener.

The visitors started brightly and took the lead in the 17th minute, when Harry Maguire rose highest to head Bruno Fernandes’s corner back across goal, where Hojlund was waiting to tap in his fifth goal in as many Premier League games.

Villa responded well and created several chances, but found Andre Onana in superb form. The United goalkeeper denied Ollie Watkins twice, as well as John McGinn and Leon Bailey, with some fine saves.

The hosts finally got their reward in the 67th minute, when Luiz fired home from Bailey’s cross, after some neat build-up play. It looked like Villa would go on to claim a deserved point, or even snatch a late winner, as they continued to press.

However, United showed their resilience and snatched the victory with four minutes left, when McTominay headed in Diogo Dalot’s cross from close range. It was the midfielder’s eighth goal of the season, and his first in the Premier League since October.

The result moved United within five points of fifth-placed Villa, who have played a game more, and boosted their hopes of finishing in the top four. Villa, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive defeat, and will need to bounce back quickly to keep their European dream alive.