By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Substitute Javier Hernandez scored two goals as Manchester United fought back from a two-goal deficit en route to a 3-2 win over Aston Villa to extend its Premier League lead to four points Saturday at Villa Park.

The victory gave United three points that put the club four points clear of closest pursuer Chelsea and a five-point advantage over bitter rival and defending champion Manchester City.

United looked headed for a defeat after Andreas Weimann buried two goals in the 45th and 50th minute but Hernandez sparked its comeback with a goal in the 58th minute.

Five minutes later, Hernandez unleashed a shot that was deflected by Villa captain Ron Vlaar into the back of the net for the equalizer and then headed in the winning goal in the 87th minute.

"It was a magnificent result and a magnificent game," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "Villa did fantastic today, they ran their socks off. We have to feel for them but we never gave in."

"We hit the bar twice but it was after the second goal we came alive, and it was a fantastic game," Ferguson added. "I was disappointed to go behind like that, but I started to think about (how) if we got a goal we would have a chance, and we did."

The loss put Villa just one place above the bottom three with two wins to its credit, but manager Paul Lambert refused to lay blame on his players, despite squandering a two-goal advantage.

"We gave it absolutely everything, we were brilliant," Lambert said. "I can't fault the team. We've got lots of young lads in the team and they were great. I can't ask for any more from them."

In other matches, Arsenal and Fulman battled to a 3-3 draw, Reading and Norwich City fought to a scoreless tie, Southampton and Swansea City ended in a 1-1 draw, Everton beat Sunderland, 2-1; Stoke City beat Queens Park Rangers, 1-0; and West Bromwich Albion defeated Wigan Athletic, 2-1.

 

 

Javier Hernandez Sparks Manchester United Past Aston Villa