Man. United Keeps Champions League Hopes Alive With 3-0 Over Aston Villa

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Paul Pogba of Manchester United celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League Group A match between Manchester United FC and Fenerbahce SK at Old Trafford on October 20, 2016 in Manchester, England.

Hopes for making the Champions League are still alive for Manchester United as they took care of business 3-0 against Aston Villa on Thursday. The win extends United’s streak of consecutive matches without a loss to 17, which includes five wins in a row.

The top four teams in the English Premier League standings qualify for the Champions League, the top soccer tournament in all of Europe. The victory keeps Man. United in fifth place, one point behind Leicester City who are in fourth, and two behind Chelsea who is in third.

A penalty kick by Bruno Fernandes in the 27th minute, although a questionable call, got the party started for United. Goals by Mason Greenwood in stoppage time prior to halftime and Paul Pogba in the 58th minute added to the rout of Aston Villa.

It was Pogba’s goal that had Man. United’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær singing his praises. “[Paul] is a fantastic person, fantastic player; one of the best midfielders in the world. It’s a different team to the one he left when he was injured. Everything is miles better in that dressing room.”

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Manchester United has four matches remaining on their EPL schedule. They will take on Southampton next on July 13, but many soccer fans have their eyes on United’s final match of the season on July 26, where they will play at home against Leicester.

Aston Villa is trying to stave off relegation and his four points behind West Ham United and Wofford to do so. Their next match will take place on July 12, on the road against Crystal Palace.