Follow live coverage as Manchester United face Aston Villa today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Manchester United FC 2 - 0 Aston Villa FC
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
18:10Manchester United sign off a miserable season with a merited win, beating top-five contenders Aston Villa 2-0 at Old Trafford. The Red Devils finish 15th in the Premier League, with Villa sitting sixth - just one place outside the Champions League places. Having dominated the first half with some bright and inventive football, United were handed a further boost as Martinez was recklessly sent off, but they still failed to find a breakthrough. Only soon after Rogers had a 'goal' controversially ruled out did Amad Diallo nod them in front, before Eriksen converted a spot-kick to finish stay at Manchester United in some style. The hosts also struck the goal-frame several times, racking up a huge xG of 2.86 compared to 10-man Villa's meagre 0.4, and they will now look towards the future. Meanwhile, Aston Villa finish an epic campaign on a down note, albeit they have still qualified for Europe after making the Champions League quarter-finals. That's all from Manchester today - and for this Premier League season - so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
18:03FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 ASTON VILLA
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
18:02When Watkins has a shot blocked on the edge of the box, United raid forward on the break. However, momentum falters as they try to knit pretty patterns rather than taking a more direct route, and that could be that at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
18:01SUPER STOP! Dorgu's dangerous cross seems set to create a third goal for United, but - at the back post - Malen scrambles it behind for a corner. Eriksen then delivers it towards Evans, whose arching header is tipped away at full stretch by Olsen - so close! What a storybook ending that would've been!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:57After Tielemans sees a shot blocked, the ball bounces up nicely for his fellow sub Barkley. However, the latter fails to fully get over his attempt, sending it high over Bayindir's crossbar.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:57Yellow Card Carlos Henrique Casimiro
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:57There will be at least eight minutes of stoppage time at the end of this final match of the Premier League season, but the result is surely beyond any doubt. Manchester United are set to beat 10-man Aston Villa.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:52PENALTY! Maatsen steps on the ankle of Amad Diallo, just inside the box, and that sees the referee point straight towards the penalty spot! This will be a great chance for United to sign off in style.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:50Penalty Goal Christian Dannemann Eriksen
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:50OFF THE POST! Again teed up by chief creator Bruno Fernandes, this time Eriksen strikes the woodwork! He lets fly with a rising strike from 20 yards out, but the ball clips the left-hand post!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:50CLOSE! Eriksen steps up to a 25-yard free-kick and curls it narrowly over the crossbar: It clips the top of the net! If that had gone in, it'd have been a fine way to sign off his stay in Manchester.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:47Substitution Morgan Elliot Rogers Donyell Malen
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:47Substitution Boubacar Bernard Kamara Ross Barkley
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:45Due to dissent, Rogers is booked late on.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:45After their 'goal' was controversially chalked off, before United went in front, Aston Villa's players and coaching staff are furious. As things stand, they'll miss out on the top five, while their hosts are set for a rare home win.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:45Substitution Rasmus Winther Højlund Chidozie Obi-Martin
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:41NO GOAL! The referee's original decision stands, as the VAR decides that Rogers did kick the ball out of Bayindir's gloves before converting his shot. That's a huge call in the Champions League race!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:41Assist Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:41VAR CHECK! Bayindir fails to gather the ball on the very edge of his box, allowing Rogers to poke it away. Rogers then manages to turn the ball home, but the referee immediately whistles for a foul. Did the Villa forward knock it out of Bayindir's hands?
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:39Goal Amad Diallo Traoré
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:38It's all bodies behind the ball for Aston Villa, as they look to preserve a point. That would at least give them a chance of finishing in the Premier League's top five, depending on whether Newcastle can fight back against Everton.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:38Yellow Card Boubacar Bernard Kamara
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:33After linking up with Eriksen on the edge of the box, Bruno Fernandes pulls his latest attempt just a few feet wide of the target. United's captain and eight-goal Premier League top scorer looks likeliest to break through.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:31Hojlund is denied again, as Cash intervenes with a last-ditch clearance from Mainoo's excellent delivery. Villa are clinging on to a point, and with Newcastle now losing to Everton, that could be enough.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:30During the second half so far, Man Utd have had a 65% share of possession, but Aston Villa are starting to get a little more of the ball now. Have the visitors' ridden out the storm? Remember, only a win will do, if they are to have any chance of finishing in the Premier League's top five.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:29Substitution Mason Tony Mount Christian Dannemann Eriksen
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:29Substitution Ayden Edford Heaven Jonathan Grant Evans
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:28Ramsey, just back from a ban, is also sent on. He replaces Onana, adding fresh legs to Villa's outnumbered midfield.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:28Allowing Aston Villa's 'Player of the Season' Tielemans to complete his return from injury, captain McGinn departs.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:28Villa finally attempt a shot, but after Onana tees up McGinn outside the box, the Villans' skipper drags his attempt well wide of the target. That could be his last contribution to this game, as Emery is set to make more changes.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:25Casemiro blazes over the crossbar, under pressure from Onana from 15 yards out, after Hojlund nods the ball back into his path. On the touchline, Amorim turns away in frustration - he can't believe his team haven't scored yet.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:23SAVE! There's a rare chance for Villa to pose any threat, but Heaven clears away McGinn's corner-kick. Making use of their extra man, United immediately break: Hojlund manages to pull away from Cash, but his low shot on the stretch is sent straight at Olsen!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:21The hosts' siege continues, as Hojlund first whips a dangerous delivery along the six-yard box, then fails to control the ball when Mainoo steals it back. That encapsulates his campaign in front of goal.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:19OFF THE POST! United are denied by the woodwork again! Dorgu passes short to Casemiro on the edge of the box, and the Brazilian deftly shoots towards the far post. The ball clips the outside of the upright!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:19Although they are clinging on to a goalless scoreline at Old Trafford, Aston Villa's top-five dreams have been further dented by news from Nottingham. Chelsea have gone in front against Forest, pulling them clear of both Newcastle and Villa as things stand.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:16CLOSE! Played in by Amad Diallo, just outside the area, Bruno Fernandes takes aim again, this time lashing his shot only inches wide of the left-hand post! Olsen would've been well beaten. Somehow, Villa escape yet again!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:14There's yet more disappointment for Hojlund, as Casemiro nods on a corner-kick from the right and finds the luckless striker. He heads home from close range, but the assistant immedaitely rasises his flag for offside.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:13Curiously, Olsen has now made six sub appearances in the Premier League: among goalkeepers, only ex-United stopper Raimond van der Gouw (11) and Steve Harper (10) have made more. Villa's back-up 'keeper could be busy in this second half.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:11After Heaven makes use of the extra space and raids forward from the back, his shot is charged down; the ball breaks for Bruno Fernandes, who then fires high over the top from 25 yards out.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:08Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way at Old Trafford!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:07Substitution José Diogo Dalot Teixeira Kobbie Boateng Mainoo
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:03Martinez is the first goalkeeper Opta has on record since 2003-04 to make five saves and then get sent off in the first half of a Premier League match - and his dismissal gives Aston Villa a huge mountain to climb. Newcastle and Chelsea are still level in their games, offering a glimmer of hope, but Manchester United were already by far the better side even before the Villans went down to 10. It all sets up a fascinating season finale!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
17:00Defying their dismal form, Manchester United have put on a bright display in their final home fixture, persistently threatening Aston Villa's goal but narrowly failing to break through: it's still 0-0 at Old Trafford. For all United's dominance, Villa goalkeeper Martinez was perhaps the central figure, as he made several smart stops before a moment of madness meant he saw red just before the break. After denying Mount more than once, he later raced off his line and toppled Hojlund, reducing the visitors to 10 men. Emery's men were fortunate to survive United's onslaught - with substitute Dalot also striking the post - and they've posted a meagre xG of 0.06 compared to the hosts' 1.12 so far. Their dreams of a Champions League return may be crumbling, while United could be set to finish with a flourish.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:54HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-0 ASTON VILLA
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:52With the rumour mill suggesting he could be about to leave England, Martinez has now received a first Premier League red card on his 196th top-flight appearance. That could have a big impact on Villa's top-five hopes, and Emery looks infuriated on the touchline.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:50Substitution Marco Asensio Willemsen Robin Patrick Olsen
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:47Yellow Card Amad Diallo Traoré
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:47Mostly for the delay while Mazraoui was down injured, there will be at least two minutes added for stoppages at the end of this first half.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:47Red Card Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:47McGinn's inswinging corner from the right is punched away by Bayindir, who has barely had anything to do thus far. Moments later, Maatsen overhits a long ball over his team-mates and out for a United goal-kick.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:45Villa have won only one of their last 26 final-day league fixtures played away from home, losing on 18 occasions, and they are playing in that vein today. So far, they've been fortunate to survive, while United really should be at least one goal in front.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:42Left in space around five yards outside United's box, McGinn elects not to shoot first time and instead cuts back onto his other foot. That allows Amad Diallo to dive in and make an interception - albeit at the cost of a corner.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:41United have already registered five shots on target, higher than their season average of 4.4 in the Premier League. Somewhat symbolically, the sun now comes out to drench Old Trafford in light.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:39A rare foray forward ends in disappointment for Aston Villa, as Cash swings a high ball in from the right for Onana. It sails just over the Belgian midfielder and behind for a Man Utd goal-kick.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:38When the ball runs for Mount on the left side of the area, he decides to try his luck. A little flick off Kamara takes any sting out of his latest shot, though, and Martinez makes a straightforward stop. That's already the goalkeeper's fifth save of this game.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:36Beating Villa's back line with a delicated lofted pass, Bruno Fernandes picks out Dalot's dart into the box. However, the latter decides to cut the ball back for Hojlund instead of shooting again, and Villa manage to get the ball away.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:34Surely, this must be among the best half-hours that Manchester United have produced this season, as they are playing with rare confidence and a sense of freedom. Top-five candidates Aston Villa are simply hanging on.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:33OFF THE POST! After Maguire reprises his moment of magic in Bilbao, beating two defenders with some deft footwork on the right byline, he cuts the ball back for Dalot. The substitute then fires a low shot against the left-hand post, before United somehow fail to bundle in the rebound: so unlucky!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:30A knock for Onana requires treatment, so Aston Villa fans have chance to take stock of the overall Champions League race. While Manchester City are leading their final fixture and are on course to seal third spot, Newcastle, Chelsea and Villa are all locked on 67 points as things stand - goal difference could prove decisive.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:27Maguire arrows a long ball forward for Mount, and the United midfielder then drills a threatening ball into the box from out wide on the left. Konsa steps in to makes a clearance; moments later, Pau Torres sweeps another cross away from immediate danger.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:25Midway through this first half, in which they've barely got going, Villa are still expected to win according to Opta's live win predictor. They've got a 53% chance of victory, compared to just 22% for United.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:23Asensio slides a throughball into the path of Watkins, who seems set to race into United's area, but Heaven covers across and makes a vital intervention. So far, Aston Villa have failed to attempt a shot, with just a 35% share of possession.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:20Substitution Noussair Mazraoui José Diogo Dalot Teixeira
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:20Having made such an impressive start to this match, Mazraoui's involvement may soon come to a premature conclusion. He's pulled up with what looks like a muscular injury, and Dalot has already begun his warm-up.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:20Following a free-kick on the left flank, Dorgu drops a dangerous hanging cross into the six-yard box, but Martinez reaches up to pluck it out of the air. Man Utd's wing-backs have both excelled so far.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:18Getting an initially disgruntled crowd back on their side, the hosts have started with plenty of spirit. However, for the first time, they are pushed back by Villa, and Maguire has to head Asensio's cross clear.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:16JUST WIDE! United come close once again! When Mount stands up a cross from the left byline, Hojlund narrowly fails to make contact in the centre, but the ball still breaks nicely for Amad Diallo. He reacts well, almost finding the bottom-left corner but seeing the ball sneak past the post by a matter of inches!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:14Mount is teed up by Dorgu's cushioned pass, following a crossfield pass from Mazraoui, but his latest effort is fired straight at the hapless Hojlund. Villa breathe again.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:11Contrary to recent form, the home side are totally on top. Again, Mazraoui is involved as Martinez is required to make another save: Casemiro's low 20-yard shot isn't much of a test, though.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:09Martinez is called on again, as Mazraoui once more pops up on the right side of the box, before finding Amad Diallo, who then passes inside to Bruno Fernandes. However, United's skipper shoots straight at Villa's towering goalkeeper.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:08DOUBLE SAVE! Martinez makes two crucial stops! First, Mazraoui's cutback from the right byline is fired goalwards by Mount, who is denied by Villa's goalkeeper. The latter then reacts well to keep out Mount's close-range header from a Hojlund cross! He really should score!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:06Caught out by Kamara in midfield, Mount sweeps his opponent over and concedes a free-kick, amid a relatively even first few minutes at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:05As things stand, Aston Villa are placed sixth in the Premier League table, level on points with both Newcastle United in fourth and Chelsea in fifth - behind both teams only on goal difference. They must better the result of at least one to finish inside the top five and claim Champions League football. So, there are sure to be plenty of twists and turns as this season finale progresses.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:02The hosts kick off, and we are under way in Manchester!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:01Both teams are out on the pitch at Old Trafford, so kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:56Aston Villa are unchanged from their recent home win over Spurs, as goalkeeper Martinez starts what could be his final game for the club. Villa's 'Player of the Year’ Tielemans returns from injury and Ramsey is available after serving a one-match suspension. The latter pair are named on the bench, but United loanee Marcus Rashford is both injured and ineligible to face his parent club.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:51Amorim makes only three changes to the Manchester United team that started against Spurs: Bayindir, Heaven and Lindelof come in. Andre Onana, Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee have all been left out of the matchday squad, prompting fresh questions about their future. Eriksen - set to leave Out Trafford this summer - is among the substitutes.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:51SUBS: Robin Olsen, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Andres Garcia, Donyell Malen, Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:46ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara; Morgan Rogers, Marco Asensio, John McGinn; Ollie Watkins.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:46SUBS: Tom Heaton, Christian Eriksen, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Jonny Evans, Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, Tyler Fredricson, Chido Obi.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:40MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1): Altay Bayindir; Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven; Noussair Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu; Amad Diallo, Mason Mount; Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:40While United have missed out, top-five hopefuls Aston Villa can still secure Champions League qualification for a second consecutive year. Unai Emery’s men succeeded where the Red Devils failed last week, beating Tottenham 2-0 in their most recent Premier League fixture, and they have won all of their last three league games without conceding. In fact, nine wins out of the last 11 is just one fewer than United have managed all season. Despite such stellar form, Villa's destiny is out of their own hands, as they require slip-ups from either Newcastle United, Chelsea or Manchester City - so it could get complicated!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:40Piling on more pain at the end of a dismal season, Manchester United lost in the Europa League final last time out, meaning they won't play in next term's Champions League - or any other kind of European football for just the second time in 35 years. Ruben Amorim’s side now head into the Premier League’s final matchday occupying 16th place in the table, and the highest they can finish is 14th. Whatever happens, that represents the club’s worst PL campaign, but they'll still try to avoiding a record-breaking 10th home defeat in one league season. Though United have failed to win any of their last eight top-flight fixtures, they have won three of their last four meetings with today’s visitors.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
15:35Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
14:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
