When all was said and done, the 2013-14 Premier League campaign is one that both David Moyes and supporters of Manchester United wanted to quickly forget.
The Scottish manager may have signed a six-year contract when replacing Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2013, yet as the campaign wore on, it became clear that his position was built upon shaky foundations.
One of the reasons behind that was the team's performances and results at home. Once an intimidating venue for visiting sides, Old Trafford quickly became a more hospitable venue under Moyes's management.
Indeed, West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Newcastle United and Swansea City all ended long waits for a victory at the home of the Premier League champions.
Such results meant that by the time that Aston Villa arrived 12 months ago today, some fans had seen enough.
A plane carrying an anti-Moyes banner flew overhead in just the second minute and the mood soured even further when the away side broke the deadlock through Ashley Westwood, who curled an effort past David de Gea.
However, on this occasion, United battled back. Wayne Rooney headed them level in the 20th minute from Shinji Kagawa's cross, before keeping his cool from the spot on the stroke of half time to put the hosts 2-1 up.
A third goal arrived in the 57th minute as Marouane Fellaini found Juan Mata inside the area, and the Spaniard fired his effort beyond Brad Guzan to score his first goal for United since his £37.1m winter move from Chelsea.
Then, in stoppage time, substitute Javier Hernandez added a fourth goal when he turned in Adnan Januzaj's cross.
Speaking after the final whistle, an under-pressure Moyes said: "I've always found the crowd at Old Trafford has been terrific.
"I've not found what people are saying or writing. I've actually found the majority of people are very supportive and understand the job we are doing. We know we have a big job to do here and we are determined to put it right."
As it was, the United board had other ideas. Next time out, the Red Devils won handsomely away at Newcastle, but a 2-0 defeat away at Moyes's former club Everton proved to be one too many, with his sacking confirmed two days later.
It meant that the victory over Villa was his last at Old Trafford - a ground where United won on just seven occasions in the Premier League during his brief tenure, losing six times and playing out three draws.
Man United: De Gea; Rafael (Carrick), Jones, Vidic, Buttner; Young, Fellaini, Fletcher, Kagawa (Januzaj), Mata; Rooney (Hernandez)
Aston Villa: Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand; Westwood, Delph, Albrighton (Lowton), Weimann; Benteke, Agbonlahor (Tonev)
Liam Apicella
