Former Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray has claimed that one Aston Villa player was deserving of a fine for his efforts in the build up to Man United’s equalising goal on Boxing Day.

United finally gave their fans something to cheer about as they came from 2-0 down to beat Villa 3-2 in a thriller at Old Trafford.

Alejandro Garnacho scored the home side’s first goal of the evening but it was his second that left Gray particularly unimpressed with Leander Dendoncker.

The Villa man turned his back as he attempted to block the ball and gray believes he should be punished for doing so. 

Andy Gray (left) has criticised Leander Dendoncker for turning his back for United’s second

After watching the footage he said: ‘I would fine him. I would fine him. Anyone who goes and turns their back on a ball.’

On Villa’s title prospects, Gray added: ‘I think the next two or three weeks are going to be key for Villa. 

‘And I mean that because having two poor performances – Sheffield United and tonight – they can’t have another.

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Dendoncker (centre) turned away from Alejandro Garnacho as he struck the ball

‘Good teams have a couple of iffy results but you immediately see a response from them.’

When Richard Keys asked if Villa were title challengers Gray added: ‘No. I think a lack of experience won’t help them.

‘The other three are too strong for me – Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City – been there, seen it, done it and I don’t think Villa have.

‘That’s why I’ve always said that Villa could finish top four, and that would almost be like winning the title for Villa. That’s how big a jump it would have been since Unai Emery took over.

‘And that’s what I said to you earlier. The one thing I don’t want is for the season to just fade away and everyone to think, ‘What a great start but we finished eighth’.