Emery storms tunnel as Villa collapse to 4-4 United draw

Unai Emery stormed down the tunnel without waiting for the VAR check or the final whistle after Manchester United snatched a sensational 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, according to The Independent ^[1]. The Aston Villa manager appeared furious as Patrick Dorgu headed home an incredible equaliser in the 96th minute, capping off one of the most chaotic Premier League fixtures of the season.

United had looked destined for defeat while trailing 4-2 in the second minute of injury time, but Joshua Zirkzee pulled one back in the 92nd minute before Dorgu rose highest to nod into an empty net. Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki had come off his line and failed to claim the ball, handing United a lifeline that Emery seemingly could not bear to watch unfold.

The drama began with a perfect start for the visitors, as Alysson and Nicolas Jackson both found the net inside the first five minutes to put Villa 2-0 up. However, United responded quickly when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty after Boubacar Kamara fouled Matheus Cunha in the box. Youri Tielemans then equalised against his former club before half-time, setting the stage for a frantic second half.

Villa appeared to have seized control after the restart, scoring twice in seven minutes through John McGinn’s penalty and Leon Goretzka’s tap-in following sloppy United defending. At 4-2, Emery likely believed his side had secured the victory, but the hosts mounted a stunning comeback that left the Villa boss walking off the pitch in apparent disgust.

Emery suggested in his post-match interview with Sky Sports that he left because the lateness of the goal meant he considered the match essentially over. The result leaves United in the Premier League’s bottom three, lying 18th, though the comeback may have temporarily saved Michael Carrick’s job. Villa, meanwhile, remain in 10th place, having missed an opportunity to climb to eighth had they held their lead.