Villa came from two goals down to force United to a draw, as Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho scores on debut
By Kehinde Okeowo
Steven Gerrard’s side fought back from two goals down to force Manchester United to a 2-2 draw in a pulsating Premier League encounter played at the Villa Park on Saturday.
The two teams met in an FA Cup third-round game earlier in the week and Manchester United ran out 1-0 winners in a match Aston Villa would think they should have won.
United scored in the 6th minute when Bruno Fernandes got a shot away from a short free-kick, which Emi Martinez failed to bring into his chest. The howler from the Villa goalkeeper gave Manchester United a 1-0 lead.
Coutinho was just about to be introduced by Villa boss Gerrard midway through the second half when Bruno Fernandes scored his brace in the 67th minute.
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Morgan Sanson gave away possession inside Villa’s half, Fred intercepted it and passed to Bruno Fernandes, who took a touch before firing a shot towards a goal that hit the crossbar and went in.
However, two goals in the space of five minutes gave Aston Villa a share of the spoils, with Jacob Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho getting on the scoresheet in the 77th and 82nd respectively.
Coutinho proved the catalyst for a memorable comeback, first, he drove at the United defence, helping to create the space which Jacob Ramsey exploited to halve the deficit.
Then Ramsey returned the favour by sliding over an excellent cross from the left which Coutinho put into an empty net to complete the remarkable comeback.
The goal brought celebrations to Villa fans as Emiliano Martinez who’s howler in gifted Fernandes the visitors’ opener looked relieved after the equaliser
With the draw, Manchester United stayed in the 7th position on the log table, 4 points from West Ham United in 4th place, while Villa are 13th on the Premier League table.
