Man United down Villa as battling Spurs hold Liverpool

Fernandes provided assists for two of United's goals against Villa 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, who now has 100 assists as a United player, has up to eight more games to set a new record in England's top division. He also set a new club record for United in a single Premier League season - overtaking David Beckham's 15 in 1999-2000.

Casemiro headed United in front from Fernandes' corner in the 53rd minute. Villa leveled through Ross Barkley, but Fernandes was the provider again when Matheus Cunha sidefooted past Emiliano Martinez. 

Benjamin Sesko came off the bench to score his eighth goal in 10 games and effectively seal the win. 

The victory saw United close the gap on second-place Manchester City to seven points.

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

"It is a huge achievement for me, but the main achievement will be finishing in the top spots at the end of the season,"  Fernandes said.

Liverpool are now two points further back in fifth after squandering victory against relegation-threatened Spurs when Richarlison struck in the 90th minute to stun the Anfield crowd. 

Tottenham had looked set to extend their worst losing run to seven games in all competitions when trailing Dominik Szoboszlai's first-half free kick but the battling draw left them one point clear of the relegation zone. 

West Ham's draw with Man City on Saturday had meant Nottingham Forest dropped into the bottom three. 

But they quickly climbed back out of the relegation zone with a point at home against Fulham on goal difference. 

Leeds edged further away from the drop zone with a goalless draw at Palace. They are 15th, on 32 points - three points clear of the bottom three.