For Nilsson Lindelöf, Sunday's only league match was a special experience. For the third match in a row – and the second in the Premier League – the centre-back was given the confidence of Villa manager Unai Emery from the start.
And against Manchester United of all clubs.
Villa won 2-1 and are now level on points with Arsenal and Manchester City at the top, with the gap to leaders Arsenal being just three points.
Eight years at United
Lindelöf spent eight seasons at Old Trafford and played 284 games for United – the last against Aston Villa at Villa Park in May. Out of contract, he waited a long time to find a club and only snapped up by Villa when they made a proposal in late August.
"I had some interesting options that I talked to my family and agent about. In the end, I decided that the best thing was to come back to England. I turned down quite a few things that didn't feel right for my family and me in terms of football," he said in connection with the national team meeting in October.
The Swede provided a solid performance in a Villa that did not reach its recent strong form or performances, but still won for the eighth consecutive match with the odd goal.
Double by Rogers
A dream goal was offered, when Morgan Rogers screwed in a 1-0 from the cross behind Senne Lammens. United's equalizer came immediately when Matheus Cunha took advantage of a mistake by Matty Cash in added time in the first half.
Rogers was not ready for the day. Barely a quarter of an hour into the second half, he pushed Villa to 2-1. With nine wins in the last ten games, Aston Villa are the Premier League's best-form team.
