All eyes were on Sweden's Henrik Larsson, making his first start for United after a surprise loan deal from Helsinborg, but it was United's other Scandanavian that came on and saved the day when Villa looked to have earned themselves a replay.
Any questions on how Larsson would cope in England were quickly laid to rest. In the opening exchanges he was impressive and nearly opened the scoring after latching on to Carrick's defence splitting pass from the half-way circle only for Kiraly to somehow get a block in despite diving the wrong way.
Yet again, United were the dominant side but Villa resisted, allowing them the comfort of finishing the half on equal terms. United needed someone to make the breakthrough and it was no surprise that with 10 minutes of the second half gone, Larsson was the inspiration, flicking up Rooney's pass and passing it past Kiraly.
United failed to extend their lead, despite their chances and Baros, coming on as a substitute to give Villa a more attacking 4-4-2 formation, capitalised with a little over 15 minutes left. It looked like it would be enough to force a replay until United cruelly struck in injury time. It was Solskjaer, replacing Larsson, that provided another vital last ditch winner. Rooney laid the ball to him on the edge of the area and Ole's shot somehow squirmed through Kiraly's arms and into the net.
Sometimes, even when this impressive, it takes a little luck to get a result. Solskjaer and United didn't care and the 4th round visit of Portsmouth awaits.
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