'He deserved it' - David Moyes welcomes Juan Mata's first Manchester United goal

 
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Tom Dutton30 March 2014

David Moyes shrugged off a fly-by protest and mounting pressure at Old Trafford to oversee Manchester United's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Many inside the stadium jeered and booed as a banner reading 'wrong one - Moyes out' was seen trailing a light aircraft high in the Manchester sky ahead of kick-off.

And the Reds responded as they went on to hit four in the league for only the second time this term.

The match was not without a few nervous moments, however, as Ashley Westwood's curling free-kick put Paul Lambert's inconsistent Villa side ahead inside 15 minutes.

But this time United showed some fight; Wayne Rooney's header drew the hosts level before the England man completed his brace from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time.

Juan Mata notched his first goal for the club after the interval and Javier Hernandez gave a shine to the scoreline with a late fourth.

But it was the Spaniard, who has experienced a barren spell since his £37.1million move from Chelsea in January, who Moyes was celebrating after the game.

"He's deserved it," the Scot said.

"His play has been very good. He's made a difference to the team, he's helped the team.

"Goals were one of the reasons we bought him. He's always scored goals, he's got a very good goalscoring record.

"I think he was probably feeling it a little bit - he missed a chance in midweek, missed two good chances against West Ham - so I think there have been signs, the opportunities have been coming for him to score goals but, whenever he's played, he's made a difference and done very well for us."

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