Aston Villa had not beaten Manchester United at home in the league for 27 yearsUnai Emery enjoyed a dream debut as Aston Villa manager with an impressive and deserved victory against Manchester United at Villa Park.
The hosts had not beaten United on home soil in the league since 1995, but were 2-0 up after 11 minutes in this game following an incredible start.
Leon Bailey opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he broke clear of the defence before arrowing a low shot beyond David de Gea.
Things got even better for Villa just three minutes later when Lucas Digne curled in a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards.
Manchester United's players looked stunned by Villa's fast start and did not register a meaningful effort until midway through the first half, when Alejandro Garnacho's shot from an angle was well saved by Emi Martinez.
Cristiano Ronaldo, named captain for the first time under Erik ten Hag, drew another good save moments later with a header as the away side improved before half-time.
A huge slice of fortune got them a goal back seconds before the break when Luke Shaw's shot took a big deflection off Jacob Ramsey to land in the back of the net, with Martinez unable to react.
But Ramsey delivered the perfect response to that setback after the break when he latched onto Ollie Watkins' ball and powered a shot beyond De Gea.
There was no way back for Manchester United after that, as Villa fans spent the rest of the game celebrating the start of the Emery era.
The win moved Aston Villa up to 13th, three points above the relegation zone, while Manchester United remain fifth.
Emery's immediate impact
Steven Gerrard paid the price for a disappointing start to the season, but Villa wasted no time in bringing in his replacement.
Former Arsenal and Villarreal boss Emery was appointed on 24 October and has been welcomed by Villa fans. There was a positive atmosphere around Villa Park before kick-off, and Emery was loudly cheered as he took his place in the dugout.
Those cheers had barely died down when Villa made the best possible start.
Emery's impact was immediately clear as his side played with a pace and dynamism that pulled Manchester United apart.
On the touchline, the Spaniard kicked every ball and did not stop giving instructions as he settled into his new job quickly. If this is a sign of things to come for Villa under, it won't be long before they are no longer looking over their shoulders.
Ronaldo captaincy return doesn't go as planned
Eyebrows were raised before kick-off when Ronaldo was named captain less than three weeks after he walked out of Old Trafford before full-time in the game against Tottenham.
That initially appeared to mark the end of his time at the club, but Ronaldo has been gradually reintroduced by Ten Hag, who challenged the Portugal international to lead by example on Sunday.
Ronaldo was not as influential as his manager would have perhaps liked, although no Manchester United player covered themselves in glory in their dreadful start to the game.
The United captain was involved in a tussle with Tyrone Mings in the second half, and showed his frustration when he had the chance to fire home a trademark free-kick at 3-1, but slammed it into a wall.
There were then pantomime boos as Ronaldo threw his hands into the air after being penalised for a foul late on to complete a day to forget for the veteran forward and Manchester United.
Player of the match
BaileyLeon Bailey
Line-ups
Aston Villa
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Martínez
2Cash4Konsa5Mings27Digne
32Dendoncker6Douglas Luiz
31Bailey41J Ramsey10Buendía
11Watkins
1MartínezBooked at 88mins2Cash4Konsa5MingsBooked at 61mins27DigneSubstituted forYoungat 79'minutes32DendonckerSubstituted forSansonat 90'minutes6Douglas Luiz31BaileyBooked at 42minsSubstituted forMcGinnat 70'minutes41J Ramsey10BuendíaSubstituted forIngsat 79'minutes11WatkinsSubstituted forKamaraat 78'minutesSubstitutes
7McGinn8Sanson9Ings16Chambers17Augustinsson18Young20Bednarek25Olsen44KamaraMan Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
1de Gea
20Dalot2Lindelöf6Martínez23Shaw
18Casemiro14Eriksen
10Rashford34van de Beek49Garnacho
7Cristiano Ronaldo
1de Gea20DalotBooked at 72mins2Lindelöf6Martínez23ShawBooked at 10minsSubstituted forMalaciaat 65'minutes18Casemiro14Eriksen10Rashford34van de BeekSubstituted forMartialat 65'minutes49GarnachoSubstituted forElangaat 65'minutes7Cristiano RonaldoBooked at 61minsSubstitutes
5Maguire9Martial12Malacia17Fred28Pellistri31Dúbravka36Elanga39McTominay47ShoretireReferee:Anthony TaylorAttendance:42,058Live Text
Match ends, Aston Villa 3, Manchester United 1.
Second Half ends, Aston Villa 3, Manchester United 1.
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Boubacar Kamara.
Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Diogo Dalot.
Foul by Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United).
Morgan Sanson (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Casemiro (Manchester United).
John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Anthony Elanga (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by John McGinn (Aston Villa).
Substitution, Aston Villa. Morgan Sanson replaces Leander Dendoncker.
Foul by Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United).
Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card.
Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Christian Eriksen.
Foul by Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
Matty Cash (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Casemiro (Manchester United).
John McGinn (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Casemiro (Manchester United).
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