London, Feb 2 (.) Aston Villa’s Premier League title push suffered a setback on Sunday as they lost 1–0 to 10-man Brentford, while Manchester United continued their resurgence with a third consecutive victory under new manager Michael Carrick.
Villa played more than half the match with a numerical advantage after Brentford winger Kevin Schade was shown a straight red card in the 42nd minute for kicking out at Matty Cash. Despite the dismissal, Brentford struck just before halftime stoppage time, with Dango Ouattara scoring the decisive goal.
The defeat left third-placed Villa seven points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, who thrashed Leeds 4–0 on Saturday. Villa is also starting to feel pressure from an improving Manchester United side.
United, fresh from surprise wins over Arsenal and Manchester City, edged Fulham 3–2 at Old Trafford. Substitute Benjamin Sesko scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time. United had raced into a two-goal lead through Casemiro and Matheus Cunha, but Fulham responded with a Raul Jimenez penalty and a Kevin equaliser.
The match followed protests by around 500–600 United fans against the club’s ownership, yet Carrick’s side now sits fourth in the table as it pushes for a return to the Champions League. United are five points behind Villa with 14 matches remaining.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Crystal Palace drew 1–1 away at Nottingham Forest. Palace were without star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta amid reports linking him with a move to AC Milan. Forest were reduced to 10 men just before halftime when Neco Williams was sent off for a goal-line handball.
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