Unai Emery makes Old Trafford atmosphere claim after Aston Villa collapse

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted the atmosphere at Old Trafford played a big factor in Manchester United completing a 3-2 comeback win over the Villans on Boxing Day. Villa's 10-game unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end on Tuesday evening as the Red Devils came from two goals down to claim all three points, in front of a revitalised and uplifted crowd.

United fans have had a positive week as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's partial takeover of the club was completed on Christmas Eve and Tuesday's win sees Erik ten Hag's side move up to sixth spot in the Premier League. The positivity was eradicated for a while as Villa stunned United with an early 2-0 lead but the response was impressive – and Emery feels the resultant supporter lift played a big part.

"When they scored their first goal, the atmosphere helped them, pushing them," Emery told Prime Video post-match. "They have very good players. We have to be demanding but accepting as well. A team like Manchester United has more experience than us at the top level. I am disappointed but accepting and trying to understand overall our first part of the season," Emery said.

Villa completely crumbled in the second half as Alejandro Garnacho scored twice and Rasmus Hojlund was relieved to finally score his first Premier League goal. It can't be said for sure whether the Old Trafford noise could be fully blamed for the Villans' cave-in but it seemed to have an impact.

The result sees the men in claret and blue fall three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and - more crucially - it gives the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to close the gap in the top-four race. Man Utd, meanwhile, are now within eight points of Emery's team.