Manchester United now only hold a one-point lead over Liverpool but still have the added benefit of a game in hand over the Merseysiders. However, Reds winger Albert Riera claims United are beginning to feel the pressure in the Premier League title race after two successive defeats.

He said: "After the game against United last week when we won at Old Trafford, we showed them that we are still fighting and that we will be until the very end.

"Now after winning against Villa and with United losing (at Fulham) I think that they can feel us near to them.

"There are a lot of matches to be played in the Premier League and the Champions League and there will be a lot of pressure and I believe that they can feel this."

He added: "It was a great performance (Villa) from everybody in the team and the most important thing is that we had to win, and we did."