Manchester United v Aston Villa ratings: Casemiro 8, Fernandes 7; Watkins 6, Martinez 5

United take a big step towards securing a top-four place with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford

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  MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 7. Surprisingly quiet afternoon against an in-form side unbeaten in 11 including their five last away league games. Stopped a Moreno shot on 19 on the way to a 15th clean sheet in the league this season. AP

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  Diogo Dalot - 7. Did enough to stop Watkins from making a tap-in and played well in a defence that did the same. Getty

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  Luke Shaw - 7. Central defender again and sensed a Villa move to block a free Luiz shot on 50 mins. Put his head where it hurts to block another Villa attack on 85. That was before a later tussle with Duran. More touches than any player on the pitch. AP

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  Victor Lindelof - 8. A big sigh of relief as he headed an effort off the line 10 minutes from time, then another block in the final move of the game. Absolutely comfortable against one of the most potent attacks in the league. PA

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  Tyrell Malacia - 7. Held off Douglas Luiz and pulled the ball away from McGinn to stop a 35th-minute Villa attack. Hit a 53rd-minute ball towards Rashford that nearly came off. Strayed offside to nullify one attack. Booked for pulling back Traore after 94. Decent. Getty

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  Casemiro - 8. Best game for a while. Shielded the defence, slick pass towards Fernandes on 15 and his shot hit the bar on 27. Another wondrous ball to Rashford on 62. Headed Villa corners away, curled a 72nd-minute shot around the post. AFP

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  Christian Eriksen - 6. Neat, passed through the lines of a well-organised side on a very fast, wet pitch. Getty

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  Marcel Sabitzer - 6. Timed a run from deep behind the Villa defence to shoot on 13 minutes. Did the same two minutes later against a side with the best defensive record in the league since February. AFP

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  Jadon Sancho - 7. Interesting battle with Young, in which he did well. His skill found Casemiro in space. Sublime skill to set up a 63rd-minute attack, beating two Villa players. Bright, good in and out of possession and applauded as he left the pitch. AP

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  Bruno Fernandes - 7. On the right, but he was in the centre when he pounced to put his side ahead from a tight angle after 39 minutes. Fine reaction. Seven goals in eight games against Villa. A 46th-minute shot was saved by Martinez. AFP

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  Marcus Rashford - 7. Didn’t touch the ball much in the first half, but always looked ready and a threat. Pulled a good save from Martinez after 12. Took the shot quickly that led to the first goal. Dangerous throughout. PA

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  SUBS: Fred (Eriksen, 76') - 6. Booked for kicking the ball away. Got about the middle. EPA

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  Antony (Sancho, 75') - 6. Needed to hit a 92nd-minute chance with his left foot, but struck a weak effort with his right. EPA

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  Anthony Martial (Rashford, 85') - NR. He’s not 100 per cent - is he ever? – but if he can stay fit he’ll be of use in the run-in. AFP

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  Harry Maguire (Sabitzer, 85') - NR. Back from a rib injury, which still hurts, to play. He’ll be needed between now and the end of the season. AFP

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  ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez - 5. A difficult game for the keeper who should have done better with Marcus Rashford’s effort when palming it into a dangerous area before Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring from the rebound. Made some good stops, but it was ultimately his error that led to the decisive goal. AP

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  Alex Moreno - 6. Some of Aston Villa’s most promising attacking displays came when Moreno was able to get further forward to assist, while he also defended well across the 90 minutes. Replaced by Digne in the second half. EPA

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  Tyrone Mings - 6. Unconvincing at times with his passing out from the back, but made a crucial intervention just after the hour mark to intercept Christian Eriksen’s pass during a three-versus-one counter-attack. AP

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  Ezri Konsa - 6. A massive opportunity for Konsa saw the ball fall to him inside the six-yard box, but he couldn’t angle his body to divert it on target. Sometimes struggled to pick up Marcus Rashford who was aggressive when isolating defenders. AP

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  Ashley Young - 6. Close to assisting an equaliser with an impressive cross towards Ollie Watkins, forcing a crucial defensive header from the home side. Sometimes allowed space in behind him but that was down to Unai Emery’s high-line system. Fared well in the duel against Jadon Sancho. Getty

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  Douglas Luiz - 6. Won the ball in midfield and battled well to match the intensity from the opposition, though will leave Old Trafford wondering how he didn’t score with his effort that was headed off the line by Victor Lindelof. AP

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  Leander Dendoncker - 6. Not able to affect the game enough in a match that saw Villa often prefer a more direct approach. Eventually replaced in the 64th minute for Bertrand Traore. EPA

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  Jacob Ramsey - 6. Confident in possession and looked to dribble the ball past United’s high press. Always looked to play progressively amid the conditions that made for a fast-tempo game. Endured a difficult battle against Casemiro, but it was clear that Ramsey was able to bring a spark to Aston Villa’s promising attacks. EPA

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  Emiliano Buendia - 5. Had Aston Villa’s brightest chance of the first half but looked to slip slightly as he was about to take the shot, and instead had to opt for a cut-back that almost connected with Ollie Watkins’ run. Overall too wasteful in possession. AP

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  John McGinn - 5. Was only able to get on the ball in a handful of moments on the flank with United applying strong pressure. Fared better when coming inside, but his efforts from outside of the box were unthreatening. Getty

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  Ollie Watkins - 6. Worked hard to run in behind and tried to make the most of his limited opportunities. Showed some good pieces of link-up play with his more advanced midfielders. AP

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  SUBS: Bertrand Traore (Dendoncker, 64') - 6. Traore won a free-kick for Aston Villa late on with some confident dribbling into United territory, and it wasn’t clear why he didn’t do that more often when on the ball. EPA

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  Callum Chambers (Young, 64') - 6. Positioned himself smartly to restrict attacks from building up in central areas. Showed patience when forced out wide. PA

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  Jhon Duran (Buendia, 75') - NR. Couldn’t get on the ball enough to make an impact, cutting a frustrated figure by the end after an altercation with Luke Shaw. AP Lucas Digne (Moreno, 75') - NR. Didn’t make an impact. A cross in the 91st minute was tame and easily blocked.

A goal from Bruno Fernandes secured Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, increasing their chances of finishing in the top four in the Premier League and continuing their dominant form at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag's side are fourth in the standings with 63 points from 32 matches and have a game in hand on fifth-placed Liverpool who are on 56 points.

United are unbeaten at home in 15 straight Premier League games, with just three draws. They have not lost at Old Trafford since the opening weekend of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion.

United put Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to work early with several great chances before they were finally rewarded in the 39th minute.

Martinez dove to push away Marcus Rashford's shot after the United striker's well-timed run, and Fernandes sprinted in for a one-touch shot from a tight angle.

Unai Emery's Villa, whose defeat was their first in 11 games, are sixth in the standings, with 54 points from 33 matches.

Check out the photo gallery above for the player ratings from Old Trafford. Andy Mitten provides his assessment on Manchester United, while Adam Brown offers his take on Aston Villa. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.