Craving a Heatsink? Match Up of Manchester Stars at Old Trafford!

Manchester United vs Aston Villa – Five memorable past meetings Manchester United face Aston Villa in the Premier League this afternoon in a massive clash for both teams. The two teams are level on points in the Premier League table, in what is a fiercely competitive battle for Champions League qualification. It’s arguably the biggest meeting between the sides for several seasons and, ahead of the game, we’ve looked at five of the most memorable past meetings in the Premier League era.

Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester United – Premier League (07/11/1992) Manchester United’s season looked to be getting away from them after defeat at Aston Villa in November 1992. The Red Devils had made a poor start to the Premier League’s inaugural campaign, and Dalian Atkinson’s goal extended a winless run to seven league games. Mired in mid-table, the arrival of Eric Cantona from Leeds United later that month kick-started an incredible upturn.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side claimed the championship, ending a 26-year title drought, with autumn conquerors Aston Villa as runners-up. Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United – Premier League (19/08/1995) Alan Hansen infamously remarked on Match of the Day that “You can’t win anything with kids,” after an inexperienced Manchester United side were thumped at Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the 1994/95 season. The champions had allowed Paul Ince, Mark Hughes, and Andrei Kanchelskis to leave in the summer, with Sir Alex Ferguson placing his trust in several academy products.

United were well beaten in their season-opener at Villa Park, as goals from Ian Taylor, Mark Draper, and future Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke sealed success for the hosts. Hansen’s comments came back to haunt him, however, as Manchester United ended the campaign as domestic double winners. Villa sealed success of their own by lifting the League Cup.