Barclays Premier League

FT: VILLA 2 MAN UTD 3

Manchester United hit back from two goals down to snatch a thrilling victory at Villa Park to go four points clear at the top of the table. Substitute Javier Hernandez was the hero, scoring twice and playing a key part in the other, which came through an own goal by Ron Vlaar. A mundane opening period burst into life in stoppage time when Christian Benteke brushed Chris Smalling off the ball and set up Andreas Weimann for an excellent finish. Weimann doubled Villa's advantage five minutes after the restart when a flowing Villa move ended with Gabriel Agbonlahor drilling a cross into the centre and the Austrian netting from close range for his second of the match. For a brief time, Villa were scenting their first home win over United since August 19, 1995. That dream died inside five minutes as United netted twice, first with an incisive finish by Hernandez after a lovely lofted pass from Paul Scholes and then through an own goal from Villa defender Vlaar, who could no nothing when a Hernandez shot struck him and ended up in the net. Van Persie hit the crossbar twice in quick succession soon after, first with a header and then with a magnificent left-foot drive. But United were not to be denied and Hernandez won it with a diving header three minutes from time from a free-kick delivered perfectly by Van Persie.

STILL HOPE FOR VILLA

Villa mount a late attack, but Holman's drive is deflected over the crossbar.

STOPPAGE TIME

We are into the second of five minutes of stoppage time.

MORE ON THAT GOAL

Van Persie delivered a free-kick from the right and Hernandez held off his marker to bullet a diving header into the corner past the helpless Guzan.

GOAL: VILLA 2 MAN UTD 3

Javier Hernandez scores surely what is the winner for United.

VILLA SUBSTITUTION

Fabian Delph comes on for the hard-working Barry Bannan for the home side.

QUIZ ANSWER

Earlier we asked you the two clubs Villa beat the last time they recorded back-to-back victories in the Premier League (May 2011). The correct answer: Arsenal and Liverpool. Score one point for each.

VILLA SUBSTITUTION

The home side make another switch. Two-goal Andreas Weimann makes way for Brett Holman.

ROONEY TAKEN OFF

Wayne Rooney took a blow to his foot a minute ago and he makes way for Anderson, with Sir Alex taking no precautions. Rooney asks to go straight to the changing room. Villa make a switch too, with El Ahmadi replacing Ireland.

WIDE FROM ROONEY

It's Rooney's turn to go for goal from long range, but his shot is always swerving wide of the target.

OFF THE CROSSBAR AGAIN

Van Persie hits the woodwork for the second time in a minute with a rasping left-foot shot from 22 yards that beats Guzan all ends up.

OFF THE CROSSBAR

Paul Scholes makes way for Tom Cleverley with 19 minutes remaining. Rooney's corner is headed against the crossbar from five yards by Robin van Persie before Valencia's follow-up is deflected wide.

SMALLING ALERT TO THE DANGER

Lowton delivers a wicked dipping ball into the area aimed for Benteke and Villa would be in front again but for an excellent intervention from Chris Smalling.

CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS

This match is end to end and turning into a thrilling encounter. Within a matter of 90 seconds, Rooney sees a shot well saved, Carrick is booked for a foul and Weimann is denied a hat-trick with a thumping header from an Agbonlahor cross that De Gea beats away acrobatically.

MORE ON THAT GOAL

Just like that United are level. Rafael's run went untracked by Agbonlahor and after receiving a pass on the right crossed beyond the far post. At first glance it looked as though Hernandez had picked out an excellent finish, but looking again it hit Ron Vlaar on the back and should go down as an own goal.

GOAL: VILLA 2 MAN UTD 2

Javier Hernandez levels for United, via a deflection off Ron Vlaar.

SCHOLES HEADS WIDE

Van Persie's corner from the left is aimed for the head of Scholes, but the ginger-haired midfielder nods wide of goal and grimaces because he knows it was a good chance.

MORE ON THAT GOAL

Just like that United are back in the game. Paul Scholes had appeared off the pace for much of the match, but he picked out a beautiful lofted pass for Hernandez. The Mexican brought the ball down and kept his composure to advance and slide a shot under Guzan.

GOAL: VILLA 2 MAN UTD 1

Javier Hernandez pulls one back for United.

IT'S QUIZ TIME

Here's one for the Villa fans. The Midlanders have not won back-to-back games in the Premier League since the final two matches of the 2010-11 season. Who were their vanquished opponents? Answer in a few minutes.

VILLA BOOKING

Referee Friend, true to his word, cautions Stephen Ireland for his latest foul.

ATTACK THE BEST DEFENCE

Even two goals to the good here, Villa have to keep attacking. If they sit back United will surely pick them off.

MORE ON THAT GOAL

Villa carved open the United defence with ease. Benteke let the ball run, Ireland helped it on and Agonlahor found himself in loads of space down the left. He drilled in a low cross which Weimann helped into the net from close range. United's defence was appealing for offside, but he certainly wasn't.

GOAL: VILLA 2 MAN UTD 0

Andreas Weimann scores his second and Villa are in dreamland!

QUALITY STRIKE

That Weimann goal was a super strike. He stroked the ball side-footed first time from just inside the penalty area. David De Gea will be slightly disappointed the ball went through his arms into the roof of the net, but he wasn't really to blame because the shot was hit too sweetly and the goalkeeper was also unsighted until the last moment.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

United kick off the second half. Javier Hernandez has replaced Ashley Young at the break for the visitors.

HT: VILLA 1 MAN UTD 0

What a way to finish the half for Villa. Christian Benteke shrugged Chris Smalling off the ball near the left touchline and crossed to Weimann, who scored from a central position just inside the penalty area. That's the half-time whistle. United have been mightily quiet as an attacking force and for that you have to credit a youthful and exuberant Villa team who have shown no little heart in keeping the league leaders at bay. There had been precious little goalmouth excitement at either end until that strike in stoppage time. So United will have to come from behind again and you can bet Sir Alex will be far from happy in the dressing room.

GOAL: VILLA 1 MAN UTD 0

Andreas Weimann gives Villa the lead.

TAME ROONEY SHOT

Rooney shoots from all of 30 yards, but the effort lacks real venom and is too close to Guzan.

NO SHAKING STEVENS

It's hard to imagine what Enda Stevens must be thinking at the moment. The £300,000 capture was playing his football at Shamrock Rovers last season, but has not looked out of place in the slightest as Villa's left-back this evening.

SHOT AT LAST FROM VILLA

Weimann shows quick feet to play the ball square to Ireland, whose left-foot drive is several yards wide but at least registers as the home side's first effort at goal.

LITTLE THREAT FROM UNITED

It's a sobering thought that Robin van Persie has scored as many goals in the Premier League this season as the entire Villa squad. RVP has not had a sniff so far today, and Rooney has been quiet as well.

LAST CHANCE SALOON

Stephen Ireland is walking on thin ice – referee Friend has told him he will be cautioned for one more misdemeanour.

THE IMMOVABLE OBJECT

Evra finds a little space on the overlap down the left, but again Vlaar is across to snuff out the danger. Villa have looked really solid in defence so far.

SCHOLES A RELIEVED MAN

For a moment it looks like Paul Scholes has gifted Villa a glorious chance to open the scoring, but Mr Friend awards a rather generous foul against Stephen Ireland.

WASTEFUL FROM VALENCIA

Valencia manages to find half a yard of space past Enda Stevens before delivering a wasteful cross-shot straight into the crowd. Young Stevens has done superbly well so far at left-back.

COMEBACK KINGS

United have gone behind in nine of their 16 games this season and come back to win seven of them, which is no mean feat. The fear of the Fergie hairdryer certainly focuses the mind.

POOR PASS FROM AGBONLAHOR

A pass from Ireland inside Evra frees Agbonlahor down the right, but the England man is wasteful with the final ball and Villa spurn another great opening, much to manager Paul Lambert's frustration..

FANS RIGHT BEHIND VILLA

Give credit to these Villa fans, who have turned up in their droves hoping to see the impossible today. Seeing the claret and blues beat United is not quite as rare as a sighting of Halley's Comet, but not far off.

VILLA PUSH FOR THE OPENER

Villa break with pace and purpose. They have a man over, but Weimann dithers in possession and when he finally tries to find Ireland, he gives the ball away. Villa then spring the offside trap, and Ferdinand blocks a cross-shot from Benteke.

EVRA BACK ON THE FIELD

Evra's back on the field. He got in the way of big Ron Vlaar and in any collision between those two was always going to come off second best.

BENTEKE DENIED

Bannan delivers a free-kick from the right that wins Villa a corner, even though the ball seemed to come off Agbonlahor. Evra needs treatment for a head injury, the visitors don't really clear the set-piece and Benteke is denied by a last-ditch tackle from Young.

YOUNG GUNS GO FOR IT

There is not a single player in the Villa line-up today aged 30 or over. You win nothing with kids, remember.

YOUNG SHOOTS WIDE

Ashley Young is getting some right stick from the Villa fans he used to play for. Undaunted, the left winger cuts inside and curls a right-foot shot that goes not too far wide of the far post.

PLENTY TO PLAY FOR

With both Chelsea and Manchester City not playing until tomorrow, United can open up a four-point gap at the top of the table.

HEADER ON TARGET

United threaten, with Carrick almost weaving his way through and then Stevens blocking an angled drive from Valencia. From the corner, Carrick's header is on target, but easy for Guzan to gather.

ALL TO PLAY FOR

The good news for Villa is none of the three sides below them won earlier this afternoon. Southampton and Reading drew at home and QPR were beaten at Stoke.

FITTING TRIBUTE

With Remembrance Sunday tomorrow, the two sides came out to a guard of honour provided by service personnel. A minute's silence preceded kick-off and players from both teams are wearing shirts with the poppy emblem, which has become tradition in recent seasons.

HERE WE GO

Villa get the game under way, attacking the goal to our right.

TEAM NEWS

Joe Bennett has been ruled out for Villa with a knee problem, so the even more inexperienced Enda Stevens comes in to play left-back. United make two changes from the side that beat Arsenal, Chris Smalling replacing the injured Jonny Evans in central defence and Paul Scholes coming into central midfield with Tom Cleverly dropping to the bench.

TODAY'S TEAMS

Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Stevens, Weimann, Westwood, Ireland, Bannan, Agbonlahor, Benteke. Subs: Given, El Ahmadi, Albrighton, Holman, Delph, Bowery, Williams. Man Utd: De Gea, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Young, Rooney, van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard, Anderson, Hernandez, Welbeck, Cleverley, Fletcher, Buttner. Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire) .

PREVIEW

They may not yet have quite hit the heights this season, but already Manchester United are in pole position in the Premier League, which must be of some concern to their fellow title challengers. It must also be a little intimidating for Aston Villa, who despite having home advantage will be well aware that in recent years this has been one of the top-flight fixtures in which the outcome has been easiest to predict. Villa have won just once over Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the last 33 meetings, losing 23 of those matches. Even after the departure of the unloved Alex McLeish there has been much gloom and doom at Villa Park, but Paul Lambert's man will at least be buoyed by last weekend's much-needed away win at Sunderland which gave them some breathing room above the three teams mired in the relegations zone. You feel that Villa's young backline will have trouble coping with United's armoury of attacking weapons led by Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, so let's hope that Lambert decides to attack the visitors' suspect defence with his own two-pronged attack of Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor. If he does we could be in for quite some match. Today's game kicks off at 1730GMT, so join us around 30 minutes beforehand when we should have the confirmed team news, which will be followed by a match commentary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Villa fans have really taken to new signing Christian Benteke, the Belgium forward who arrived in a £7million move from Genk in August on transfer deadline day. Benteke has netted three goals in his last three games in all competitions, but has only scored twice in the league and could do with improving that output if Villa are to climb the table. Talking of goal-shy forwards, Gabriel Agbonlahor ended a run of 28 league games without a goal by scoring Villa's winner at Sunderland. The England attacker will be looking to build on that strike and can some comfort in the fact that only one player, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, has netted more times against Manchester United in the Premier League. United's leading scorer Robin van Persie is also the top flight's leading scorer, with eight. Villa have injury concerns at left-back, so expect Antonio Valencia and Rafael to see plenty of possession down the United right as the visitors look to exploit that weakness.

HEAD TO HEAD

United have the better head-to-head record in league meetings between the sides with 78 wins to 43 by Villa and 37 games being drawn. At Villa Park, Villa have 32 wins to 26 by United, with a further 21 meetings ending up all square. United have won the last three meetings between the sides in the league and are unbeaten in the last five. The last Villa victory came at Old Trafford on December 12, 2009, with Gabriel Agbonlahor getting the goal. That match aside, however, Villa have been United's whipping boys, their previous win before that one coming in August 1995 at Villa Park and the last at Old Trafford all the way back in December 1985. The last meeting between the sides at Villa Park took place on Dec. 3, with United winning by a solitary goal, Phil Jones being the unlikely scorer midway through the first half. United went on to complete the double, winning 4-0 at Old Trafford on Apr. 15. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with a seventh-minute penalty, with the other goals coming from Danny Welbeck (43), Rooney again (73) and Nani in the final minute.

FORM GUIDE

United started the weekend top of the pile with 24 points from ten games, with Villa one place above the relegation zone having collected just nine points from their ten matches. United have won four out of five away from home, the only blemish being a 1-0 defeat at Everton in the opening week of the season. Villa have been beaten only once at home. That was in their opening fixture at Villa Park and, coincidentally, also came at the hands of David Moyes' side. United have reaffirmed their title credentials with wins over Chelsea and Arsenal in recent weeks; Villa showed they have the stomach for the fight by winning at Sunderland last time out.

EARLY TEAM NEWS

Villa welcome back midfielder Karim El Ahmadi, who has served a one-match suspension, but defender Eric Lichaj is now banned after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Sunderland. Darren Bent again misses out with that persistent ankle problem of his, which manager Paul Lambert said yesterday would not need surgery. Joe Bennett is doubtful with a knee problem so Enda Stevens stands by as the likely replacement at left-back. Manchester United will give a late fitness test to centre-back Jonny Evans, who has a groin problem, with Chris Smalling likely to step in if needed, having proved his fitness by playing against Braga in midweek. Definitely out are Nani (hamstring), Shinji Kagawa, Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic (all knee).

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Taking charge of today's game is Kevin Friend, whose first Premier League appointment came in August 2009 when he refereed the match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham at Molineux. The Leicestershire whistleblower produced red cards in each of his first two matches of the season, to Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley, and to Stoke's Dean Whitehead at Reading. Overall, he had cautioned 20 players in five Premier League outings before this evening's encounter. Friend's assistants today are John Flynn and Stuart Burt, while Mark Halsey is the fourth official.