The Welshman, 40, was defeated in straight sets by Dutch player Plaisier, 35, who had never previously advanced beyond the second round of the tournament.

Manchester United's injury problems worsened as captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes was replaced in a 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa.

The Red Devils had not been beaten at Villa Park since 1995 but a sumptuous brace from Morgan Rogers helped the hosts secure their tenth consecutive win this season.

The 23-year-old followed up last week’s impressive double at West Ham with another brilliant brace against Manchester United.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT VILLA PARK: Fernandes appeared to pull up towards the end of the first half of the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa and did not reappear for the second.

Aston Villa are just three points off the Premier League summit having beaten both Arsenal and Man City this season

Morgan Rogers scores twice for Aston Villa in their 2-1 win against Manchester United, extending Villa's unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.

Manchester United Manager Ruben Amorim says that Manchester United performed better despite losing 2-1 to Aston Villa.

Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United: Rogers scored both goals as Villa claimed a crucial three points to maintain their pressure on league leaders Arsenal

Australian captain: ‘I doubt I’ll be playing in Melbourne’Spinner set to miss final two Tests with hamstring injuryAustralia captain Pat Cummins could join spinner Nathan Lyon on the sidelines for the rest of the Ashes.Lyon is expected to be ruled out for the last two Tests against England after suffering a hamstring injury in Adelaide on Sunday. And …

McCullum’s position likely to come under scrutinyECB believes mass sackings would be a mistakeThe England and Wales Cricket Board is eager to avoid a mass ­clearout of England’s senior leadership in the wake of another humiliating away Ashes series defeat.England’s hopes of winning the urn were expunged inside 11 days for just the fourth time in the …

Thierry Henry appeared in 377 matches for Arsenal during his playing career.

Liverpool and Manchester United have been tracking Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.

Bruno Fernandes picked up an injury during United's defeat to Aston Villa.

The weekend before Christmas provided contrasting fortunes for Wales' four professional sides as they returned to URC action.

On the winter solstice, some light finally illuminated the darkness of Wilfried Nancy's opening 17 days as Celtic manager.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery praises his "fantastic" players in a hard-fought 2-1 win against Manchester United.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT VILLA PARK: Villa's 2-0 defeat on the final day of last season not only cost them Champions League football, it cast a shadow over the months that followed.

Morgan Rogers' brace extended Aston Villa's winning run to 10 games in all competitions and ensured Unai Emery's side are just three points off league leaders Arsenal at Christmas.

The 31-year-old was subbed off during the Premier League defeat to Aston Villa and will be out ‘for a while’

Suljovic is notorious for his slow play on the circuit and Cullen could not handle it.

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan hailed a "satisfying performance" as his side completed a dominant 50-14 Gallagher Premiership win over Newcastle Red Bulls.

Hearts "have arrived" as Scottish Premiership title contenders after beating Rangers for the second time this season, says Kris Boyd.

Bruno Fernandes did not appear for the second half as Man Utd were beaten at Villa Park

Wilfried Nancy could be forgiven for looking a little bewildered as a strange sound greeted the full-time whistle at Celtic Park this afternoon.

ASTON VILLA 2-1 MAN UNITED - IAN LADYMAN AT VILLA PARK: Two here to finish off a United team that actually played quite well followed the two that did for West Hamin London a week earlier.