Manchester United got back to winning ways on Saturday thanks to a 4-1 victory at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Ashley Westwood stunned Old Trafford by giving the visitors an early lead with a free kick, but Wayne Rooney got the hosts level on 19 minutes before converting a penalty on the stroke of half time.
Juan Mata netted his first goal for United 10 minutes into the second period and the points were sealed late on through substitute Javier Hernandez.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford. We should have some team news through for you shortly. However, there's already been a bit of drama even before kickoff with an overturned lorry causing delays around the Theatre of Dreams. We don't think the start of the game will be delayed but we'll keep you posted.
It's sure to be a strange afternoon at Old Trafford as a group of fans have organised a plane to fly over the stadium with a banner which reads 'Wrong One - Moyes Out'. Manager David Moyes has faced increasing criticism in recent weeks and that was cranked up even further on Tuesday with the team's 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.
ASTON VILLA: Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand; Westwood, Delph, Albrighton, Weimann; Benteke, Agbonlahor
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Steer, Sylla, Holt, Tonev, Bennett, Robinson, Lowton
Villa boss Paul Lambert makes two changes to his starting lineup following last weekend's 4-1 defeat at home to Stoke City. Ciaran Clark and Marc Albrighton are both given the nod by the Scot while Nathan Baker and Karim El Ahmadi both miss out.
MAN UTD: De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Buttner; Young, Fellaini, Fletcher, Kagawa; Mata, Rooney
MAN UTD SUBS: Amos, Giggs, Chicharito, Carrick, Nani, Welbeck, Januzaj
Man Utd manager David Moyes opts to make five changes after Tuesday's loss to Man City. Nemanja Vidic, Alex Buttner, Ashley Young, Darren Fletcher and Shinji Kagawa all start as Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck drop to the bench for the champions.
It looks like Gary Neville isn't impressed by the aeroplane protest organised by a section of Man Utd fans...
Gauging by the reaction on social media it would seem that the majority of Man Utd fans aren't happy about the 'Moyes Out' banner that is due to fly over Old Trafford. However, support for Moyes has certainly been tested this season and in particular the last few weeks. United come into this match in seventh place in the table, 18 points behind leaders Chelsea.
And what of Villa? Well, they will move into the top half of the table if they win this afternoon but they come into the match with just seven points from their last six games.
RECENT FORM IN ALL COMPETITIONS:
MAN UTD: LWLWWL
ASTON VILLA: LDLWWL
Man Utd midfielder Marouane Fellaini speaking with United Review: "We have to stay focused or else risk losing the game.
"We always take it game-by-game and try to win. We have the players and the squad to do that, so we will see what happens. We are determined to produce a good performance, earn three points and finish the season on a high.
"Aston Villa lost their last game against Stoke City and they will come here looking for a win because they need the points as well. I think it will be a good game, they have some talented players and they will want to impress their fans at Old Trafford."
HEAD TO HEAD: Man Utd have the superior record when it comes to past meetings between these teams. The Red Devils have won 86 games compared to Aston Villa's 46. There have also been 37 draws.
Man Utd have won their last sic matches against Aston Villa, including last year's 3-0 victory a Trafford which secured them the Premier League title. This season's reverse fixture at Villa Park also saw United earn a 3-0 triumph thanks to two goals from Danny Welbeck and a Tom Cleverley strike.
Villa's last win against Man Utd came back in December 2009 when Gabriel Agbonlahor's goal saw them leave Old Trafford with the points. That was their first victory at the Theatre of Dreams since 1983.
Considering the situation that David Moyes finds himself in, one can only imagine the kind of uproar if Man Utd were to lose this one today. They've got Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday and they will not want to head into that match on the back of a defeat. However, Villa will certainly fancy their chances this afternoon. While they've been shaky at home this season, the Villans have been impressive on the road, picking up four wins and five draws.
PREDICTION TIME: We're expecting a tense atmosphere inside Old Trafford today, something that could well influence the type of match that we get. Villa are sure to give Man Utd a few scares with their counter-attacking football but we can see the Red Devils scraping by with a 2-1 win.
Around five minutes to go until kickoff and the players are starting to filter out of the changing rooms and into the tunnel. While there will be this organised protest against David Moyes, there are also plenty of Man Utd fans inside the ground who are still backing their boss. But will Villa deepen the woe around Old Trafford this afternoon? We're about to find out.
KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done and it will be Aston Villa to kick us off here at Old Trafford. Here we go!
It's been a fairly even start to the match with both teams looking to play positively and working hard when not in possession. Villa aren't looking to intimidated at the moment as they knock the ball around confidently. However, we're yet to see any chances in front of goal.
Man Utd haven't had too much luck in the final third so far, with Vidic hitting a couple of long balls forward to no one in particular. It's still Villa who are just about on top. Paul Lambert is sure to be pleased with the dynamic start that his players have made.
A bit of pressure from Man Utd now as Rooney heads off target following Mata's cross from the right. That seems to have woken up the home fans, who are starting to voice their support a bit more.
GOAL! MAN UTD 0-1 ASTON VILLA (WESTWOOD)
What a free kick from Ashley Westwood to give Aston Villa the lead! Man Utd full-back Rafael went into the book for a trip on Agbonlahor, allowing Westwood to curl the ball up and over the wall from 20 yards. De Gea had no chance there.
This is exactly the start that Man Utd did not want. They're looking a bit flat at the moment and it's hard to argue against Villa deserving their lead. The visitors have been far brighter in the opening stages and have their reward. The hosts are yet to get going.
YELLOW CARD! Alex Buttner now goes into the book for his reaction to Albrighton's tackle. The full-back thought that the Villa went in a bit recklessly there, but it's him who is cautioned.
GOAL! MAN UTD 1-1 ASTON VILLA (ROONEY)
The home fans have something to sing about now as Wayne Rooney levels things up with a simple header. It was Kagawa who whipped the cross in from the left and there was Rooney, totally unmarked, to nod past Guzan. Villa's defending was non-existent there.
Man Utd look like a different team now as they take control of this match. Rooney finds himself in acres of space on the edge of the Villa box but his shot is well blocked by Vlaar. The game has a completely different feel about it.
Man Utd should have a corner there after Clark heads Rooney's free kick wide but referee Martin Atkinson gives a goal kick believing that it came off Vidic last. Not the decision the hosts wanted but they won't mind too much as they remain on top in this match. They lacked shape before Rooney's equaliser, though they're a bit more organised now.
Villa have shown a bit more intent in the last few minutes, playing the kind of zippy counter-attacking football that we know they're capable of. They need to improve because they've been poor since losing their lead. The visitors earn a free kick in a decent position but Delph fluffs his lines and crosses the ball out of play.
A couple of times Man Utd have just rushed that final ball when a more composed approach would do. They're getting into some decent positions inside the Villa half but the crossing and incisive passing has been below par.
Villa are still enjoying a good attacking spell as we enter the final 10 minutes of the first half. They win a corner following a mistake from Vidic but Benteke can direct his glancing header on target. The visitors are looking dangerous.
CHANCE! A good opening for Man Utd there as Kagawa and Mata link inside the Villa penalty area before the former sees his effort blocked by Clark. That looked like it was going on target.
Aside from that Kagawa opporunity, this game has entered a bit of a lull in the last few minutes. The two teams are poking the ball around in midfield with neither showing much in the way of inventive attacking play.
PENALTY TO MAN UTD!
GOAL! MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA (ROONEY, PENALTY)
No mistake from Wayne Rooney as he confidently fires the ball past Guzan from 12 yards to put Man Utd ahead. The penalty incident itself was an easy one for Martin Atkinson after Bacuna had wiped out Mata inside the box. You could feel the relief around Old Trafford when the ball hit the back of the net.
MAN UTD 2-1 ASTON VILLA
The half-time whistle goes and it's Man Utd who go in ahead at the break thanks to that Wayne Rooney penalty. In all honesty it's been a poor opening 45 minutes of football. Both teams have struggled in attack while there has been a paucity of creative play.
Aston Villa certainly deserved to take the lead thanks to a bright opening from the visitors, but Man Utd were clinical to get themselves level. There can also be no complaints from a Villa perspective with regards to the penalty incident. Bacuna took out Mata without getting anywhere near the ball, allowing Rooney to fire home his second goal of the game.
It will be interesting to see if either manager tinkers with their respective teams during the break. Among others, Man Utd have Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck to call on while Villa may look to introduce Grant Holt at some point if they want a more physical approach.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out and it will be Man Utd to get the second half underway. The hosts have indeed made a change during the interval as Michael Carrick comes on for Rafael.
CHANCE! That really should be 2-2 as Benteke wastes a glorious opportunity for Villa! The Belgian collected the ball inside the penalty area before scuffing his volley. You would have expected the striker top bury that in the back of the net.
CHANCE! Benteke again misses a wonderful opening for Villa as he heads over from close range following a cross from the right side. How on earth has he missed that? Villa are certainly taking the game to Man Utd now. This is a great spell for the visitors.
You have to wonder whether Villa will regret not taking those chances. They've been very positive since coming out for the second half but those two misses could prove costly. Meanwhile, Man Utd are finding it difficult to get into their rhythm.
GOAL! MAN UTD 3-1 ASTON VILLA (MATA)
Juan Mata scores his first goal for Man Utd to give them a commanding lead in this match! Fellaini struggled to get the ball out from under his feet inside a crowded penalty area before Mata took it off him and rifled it past Guzan with his right foot. Those two misses from Benteke are starting to look very costly indeed.
We've had an hour played at Old Trafford and there's a real sense of relief around the ground. Villa were posing a genuine threat before Mata struck but it looks like they might struggle to get back into this now.
YELLOW CARD! Aston Villa's Ryan Bertrand goes into the book after chopping down Ashley Young on the right flank. No complaints there.
SUBSTITUTION: Man Utd make their second change of the match as Adnan Januzaj replaces Shinji Kagawa. Credit to Villa, they're still giving this a real go. Benteke goes down under a challenge from Vidic inside the penalty area but Martin Atkinson waves away the appeals. Could have gone either way, that one.
CHANCE! Januzaj is involved instantly as he weaves past a couple of Villa players before seeing his weak effort saved by Guzan. That's what Man Utd have lacked so often this season: someone who is willing to give it a go and be direct.
SUBSTITUTION: Villa's first change sees Gabriel Agbonlahor withdrawn for Aleksandar Tonev. Around 20 minutes left for the visitors to get something from this game.
Man Utd have been visibly more relaxed since Mata made it 3-1. They've not been afforded this kind of breathing space too often during the current campaign but they're looking a bit more inventive in the final third now.
SUBSTITUTION: Man Utd's final substitution sees Wayne Rooney, who leaves the pitch to great applause, replaced by Javier Hernandez.
CHANCE! How many opportunities does Benteke want? This time the Belgian gets on the end of a long ball forward but he can only skew his volley wide of goal from about six yards. Meanwhile, Villa make a change as Matt Lowton comes on for Marc Albrighton.
Ten minutes left to play and Villa aren't giving this one up just yet. If they were to get a goal in the next couple of minutes it will be a very nervy finale inside Old Trafford. They've certainly had their chances to do just that.
Just over five minutes of normal time remaining at Old Trafford. A Villa goal in the next couple of minutes would see the atmosphere inside the stadium get very nervy indeed. Do the visitors have another goal in them? They're certainly not giving up just yet.
Man Utd are just knocking the ball around casually now as we approach the 90-minute mark. It's not been the most convincing performance from the champions but they've got the job done. With Bayern Munich lurking in midweek it was imperative for the Red Devils to win this one today.
YELLOW CARD! Ciaran Clark is cautioned by referee Martin Atkinson for a trip on Marouane Fellaini. That was a cynical one from the Villa defender.
There will be three minutes of added time...
GOAL! MAN UTD 4-1 ASTON VILLA (HERNANDEZ)
And that is that! Wonderful play from Januzaj on the right wing sees him exchange passes with Fellaini before powering into the box. He then clips a cross to the back post where Javier Hernandez is waiting to convert. Simple but effective.
FULL TIME: MAN UTD 4-1 ASTON VILLA
The full-time whistles goes and it's Man Utd who claim the points thanks to a 4-1 win over Aston Villa. They had to come from behind to get the victory, but they did enough to come out deserving winners.
That's all from our live text coverage of today's match, but don't forget that you can follow minute-by-minute updates of this afternoon's other Premier League games right here. Thanks for your company and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
