On this day: Two great United wins vs Aston Villa
The Reds have made a recent habit of beating the Midlands club at Old Trafford in March and April, including two victories on this date – 29 March – in 2008 and 2014.
Last season's 4-1 win was notable for Juan Mata netting his first goal in a red shirt following his January arrival from Chelsea. The Spaniard struck at the Stretford End in the 57th minute after a first-half double from Wayne Rooney overturned Ashley Westwood's early opener for Villa. Javier Hernandez added a final flourish in the 90th minute after coming on as a substitute.
Going back six more years to the day, Rooney also scored twice in one of the best performances by the United squad that would go on to become English, European and world champions. This time Wayne weighed in with a couple of goals after the interval, with his two foils in an irrepressible attack – Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez – firing the Reds 2-0 ahead in the first half.
Ronaldo's effort in the eventual 4-0 victory was the famous backheel from a corner and is always worth another look.
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