Manchester United saw its winning streak come to an end at Villa Park as Aston Villa held on to claim a 1-1 draw against the Red Devils in a match that saw Gabriel Agbonlahor controversially sent off for Villa.

United manager Louis van Gaal showed great intent by handing Radamel Falcao only his second Premier League alongside Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie but it was another striker that stole the early spotlight.

A hopeful freekick into the United area from Fabian Delph found Christian Benteke who peeled away from Johnny Evans before sending a curling effort past a sea of players and past a stranded David De Gea into the top corner to put Villa in front after 18 minutes.

That lead was sustained till eight minutes into the second half when Falcao headed in only his second Premier League goal off an Ashley Young cross to equalise for the Red Devils.

A key moment then came 10 minutes later when Gabriel Agbonlahor received a straight for a challenge on Young. And United laid siege on the Villa goal in search of a winner but had to settle for a point.

The result left United on 32 points in third place, seven points behind Chelsea and Man. City, with West Ham taking advantage of United’s draw to come within a point of the Red Devils in fourth place following a 2-0 win at home to bottom club Leicester City.