Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lauded his team's "persistence" after returning from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday, delaying Manchester City's Premier League title celebrations.

If United had lost the first of three games in five days, City would've been declared champions.

And when Villa's Bertrand Traore opened the scoring halfway through the first half, their local rivals had cause to be hopeful.

United, however, responded with two goals in four minutes just after the break, with Bruno Fernandes equalizing from the penalty spot before Mason Greenwood moved them ahead.

United sealed the victory with a goal from substitute Edinson Cavani three minutes of time.

With the win, United advanced into the second position, 10 points behind leaders City, with 12 points still available in the Red Devils' final four league games.

United, on the other hand, face Leicester and Liverpool in the upcoming week, and a loss in each of those games will see City, who were beaten 2-1 at home by Chelsea on Saturday, declared champions until Pep Guardiola's men travel to Newcastle on Friday.

“It's a fantastic result because it eases some of the stress of trying to get results when the next two are against very strong teams,” Solskjaer told the BBC.

The Norwegian created four improvements to the team that was defeated 3-2 by Roma in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday, a performance that also saw United advance 8-5 on aggregate, with Dean Henderson, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, and Marcus Rashford all moving in the side.

And Solskjaer was satisfied with how United handled a hectic schedule and then fell behind at Villa Park.

'Overjoyed': "It demonstrates spirit, endurance, confidence, and health," he said. “It can be challenging at times, particularly when you drive back and don't get home until 5:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) Friday and then travel back here.”

“It is indeed a long season, and I am happy with all,” he said.

United began the match had not lost a Premier League game at Villa Park since 1995, a year before new boss Solskjaer joined the group as a striker.

Villa's chances of finishing the run against United were hampered by England international Jack Grealish's continued absence owing to a shin injury, and Egypt forwards Trezeguet's prolonged absence.

Grealish, a former Villa defender, watched from the stands on Sunday, as did England manager Gareth Southgate.

Villa took the lead against the odds in the 24th minute.

With Douglas Luiz playing in Traore, Fred's bad pass to McTominay enabled John McGinn to seize control.

The Burkina Faso international spun neatly and fought off Lindelof's challenge before blasting a strong shot towards the far corner past United goalkeeper Henderson.

United equalized in the 52nd minute when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Luiz weakened Paul Pogba in the net.

And they took the lead in the 56th minute when Aaron Wan-Bissaka found Greenwood inside the box, and the teenage English forward beat Martinez with a low strike.

Concerning United, midfielder Harry Maguire hobbled off with 12 minutes remaining.

Cavani, however, put the game out of reach with an 87th-minute glancing header from Rashford's cross.

And Villa's Ollie Watkins could still be sent off despite receiving a second yellow card for diving.

Watkins' departure irritated Villa boss Dean Smith, who called United's punishment a "pitiful decision."

“Ollie Watkins has been sent off for a second yellow card because there is no way the referee will persuade me he is sure he has not been touched.”