Manchester United strengthens position in third place as Tottenham takes Anfield point

LONDON: Manchester United strengthened its grip on a top-four finish on Sunday with a 3-1 win at home to Aston Villa.

The win leaves Michael Carrick's side third in the table, ahead of Aston Villa, which has now lost its last three Premier League games.

Casemiro opened the scoring in Old Trafford with a powerful 53rd minute header following Bruno Fernandes' cross, although Ross Barkley drilled home a left-foot shot to make it 1-1 after an assist from Lucas Digne after 65 minutes.

Matheus Cunha took advantage of another Fernandes assist seven minutes later to slide the ball home and re-establish Manchester United's lead and Benjamin Sesko assured the points nine minutes from time, reported Xinhua.

Richarlison hit a 90th-minute equalizing goal to give Tottenham a 1-1 draw away to Liverpool, which could lift some of the pressure off coach Igor Tudor, who was heading for his fifth defeat since taking over.