John McGinn scored a bizarre free-kick against Manchester United just after his Aston Villa team-mate attempted to put off goalkeeper Andre Onana.
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Villa take the lead at UnitedBailey tries to put off OnanaMcGinn free-kick flies past keeper(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
In the 21st minute of this Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford, McGinn lined up for a free-kick right by the touchline and swung a cross into the penalty area. Just before the Scottish international whipped in his delivery, Villa winger Leon Bailey stood right behind keeper Onana, seemingly to put off the Cameroonian international. Just before the ball was pumped in, Bailey sped to his right, and McGinn's free-kick, as well as the morass of players in the six-yard box, seemed to throw off the stopper and in the ball went to make it 1-0 to Unai Emery's side.
AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
United and Villa are two clubs going in different directions. The Villans are fighting for the title and are in Europe whereas the Red Devils were dumped out of the Champions League and are sliding down the Premier League table. Unai Emery has got Villa purring whereas Erik ten Hag is fighting to keep his job. One is a well-run, well-oiled club right now and the other is anything but.
WHAT NEXT?
After this Villa match, United round off 2023 with an away trip to Nottingham Forest on December 30, whereas Unai Emery's players host lowly Burnley on the same day. Villa are set to go second in the league if they beat United and the Red Devils will stay eighth.