His record assists help Red Devils beat Aston Villa 3-1 and tighten grip on third place in EPL

Manchester: Bruno Fernandes moved closer to breaking the Premier League’s assists record as Manchester United tightened their grip on Champions League qualification with a 3-1 win against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Fernandes provided assists for two of United’s goals to take his tally for the season to 16. The record for a single Premier League campaign is 20, with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne both reaching that mark.

Fernandes has up to eight more games to set a new record in English football’s top division.

Of more importance to United was a seventh win in nine games under head coach Michael Carrick. United are third – three points clear of Villa in fourth.

Earlier, Casemiro had given United the lead in the 53rd minute with a glancing header from a Fernandes corner.

Villa drew level in the 64th minute when Ross Barkley scored from the middle of the area. The goal was allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR check to determine whether the ball had glanced off an offside Amadou Onana.

The second half proved far more entertaining after a scrappy opening period marked by misplaced passes and slipping players.

United created some chances before the break, with Amad Diallo’s header kept out by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while Diogo Dalot fired over from inside the box.

Villa have now gone without a league win since February 11, leaving manager Unai Emery visibly frustrated on the touchline.

At the other end of the standings Nottingham Forest climbed out of the relegation zone with a 0-0 draw against Fulham. Crystal Palace and Leeds also drew 0-0.