Late Mctominy winner help United inch up the Premier League table 

Super substitute Scott McTominary scored a last gasp winner as Manchester United continued the momentum with a hard fought 2-1 win at Villa Park on Sunday. 

Erik Ten Hag’s side are sixth with 41 points on the league standings after their victory on the bounce, five points behind Emery’s Volla who would have ascended to fourth with a win. United are six points away from fourth berth and an assured Champions League spot in the subsequent season. 

“Every game you win is massive for taking a step forward and confidence for the boys," McTominay, whose seven goals make him the leading-scoring substitute in the league this season, told Sky Sports.

"It is all positive but it is about repeating it and not getting too far ahead of ourselves when we win a few. We've got to repeat it now."

McTominay deserved praise for his splendid attitude as a substitute, said coach Ten Hag

"He is an example for many players these days. There are not many players any more who are ready for every minute they can be on the pitch," the manager told the BBC. "Today we have seen another example. He is always ready to come on and make a difference."

Rasmus Højlund continued his purple patch in front of goal as the Danish international netted his fifth consecutive goal (11th goal across all competitions) to open the scoring, tapping in Harry Maguire’s header from close range through Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s legs. 

United keeper Andrè Onana made numerous big saves to keep Villa at bay until Douglas Luiz scored the equaliser in the 67th minute. 

Onana made yet another top class save to avoid Clèmenet Lenglet but Luiz was there to register his name on the scoresheet via a rebound, celebrating with a shoulder shimmy in front of the helpless Cameroonian. 

But United had the final laugh, with McToming coming on late (73rd minute) in the game and scoring the winner in the 86th minute, jumping to head a picture perfect cross from Diogo Dalot past Martinez. 

An elated Ten Hag punched the air in jubilation  

“I feel like as long as I'm fit and healthy I can come on to the pitch and perform. I don't take it personally, I just want to come in and try and do the best I can for this. Long may it continue," McTominay said.

"It was an unbelievable cross to be fair, whipped with a lot of pace. I just needed it to hit my head and get it on target. Full credit to the boys, we created a lot of good chances which may go unnoticed."

Villa had 10 shots to United's five on target and had a possession of 55.9%.   

"Great spirit and fight to come back and Scott is the match-winner again," Maguire told Sky. "It's an amazing feeling but we'd like to make it a little easier for ourselves.

"Scott has come on in numerous games this year and made the difference for us. We had to dig deep in the second half; I think we did in the end and deserved the win."

Villa boss Unai Emery said the result was a difficult one to swallow.

"But that is football," he said. "We played like we planned and we deserved more."