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Not even Cristiano Ronaldo could spoil Unai Emery’s first game as Aston Villa boss as the Spaniard got the better of Manchester United once again.

Emery’s Villarreal side overcame United on penalties in the Europa League Final last year and the scoreline was far more emphatic here. Ronaldo – surprisingly made captain for the day by Erik ten Hag – had not yet rejoined United when they lost in Poland last May but the Portuguese cut a frustrated figure here as Villa beat United at home in the league for the first time since 1995, ending the Premier League’s longest winless sequence in the process.

Early goals from Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne handed Emery, hired to replace Steven Gerrard, the perfect start and though Luke Shaw’s deflected shot gave United hope just before half-time, the excellent Jacob Ramsey snuffed it out soon after the restart.

With Bruno Fernandes suspended and Harry Maguire left on the bench, Ronaldo was given the armband by Erik ten Hag but struggled to provide the leadership his team needed. He avoided a red card for a tangle with Tyrone Mings and was baited by the home crowd throughout as United slipped to a first league defeat in six. Emery never lost to United during his 18 months at Arsenal and this was the ideal way to begin his second crack at English football. Villa fans felt secure enough to chant ‘Ole’ in stoppage time as their team ran down the clock.

It was almost a nightmare start for Villa as Emiliano Martinez dawdled on the ball close to his goal-line and only just managed to clear before Alejandro Garnacho stole the ball from him.