Aston Villa make the tough trip to Old Trafford this Sunday to face Erik ten Hag’s Champions League-chasing Manchester United in the Premier League. Here’s the latest heading into Sunday’s big game…
THE BUILD UP
Unai Emery’s side look to extend their ten game unbeaten run this weekend with a result against the Red Devils. Villa sit sixth heading into game-week 34, looking to continue their late European surge, whilst United hope to maintain their top four status with all three points.
Last time out for the Villans was a home test against Marco Silva’s Fulham on Tuesday. A dominant first-half display from the claret and blue outfit had them leading 1-0 going into the break thanks to Tyrone Mings’ first of the season; heading in John McGinn’s front-post corner. The Cottagers saw more of the ball in the second half, but failed to register an attempt at goal and it was Emery’s side who took all three points at Villa Park.
As for ten Hag’s team, they let a 2-0 lead slip at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night and came away with just a point against Ryan Mason’s side. Jadon Sancho put the Carabao Cup winners ahead after just seven minutes, before Marcus Rashford doubled the lead before the break. Full-back Pedro Porro fired a goal back in the 56th minute for the North-London side and after several chances at either end, it was Heung-Min Son who found the game’s fourth goal, capitalising on Harry Kane’s through pass to earn Spurs their first point in three games.
Unai Emery made his Aston Villa managerial debut when these two teams last met in the league and hit the ground running after steering his new side to a 3-1 victory. It was a first win in 23 years for Villa against United at home, earned via Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne’s first-half goals, and Jacob Ramsey’s 49th minute strike.
Can the Spanish boss complete a league double and push his side further towards a European place or will ten Hag’s team secure a third straight victory at Old Trafford in the Premier League?
TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa are once again expected to be without Matty Cash (calf), Leon Bailey (hamstring), Boubacar Kamara (ankle) and Philippe Coutinho (hamstring) this weekend. The quartet aren’t far from staging a comeback, but the quick turnaround of games is thought to be too soon for this weekend’s top six clash in Manchester.
Unai Emery will hope the injured crowd can return immediately and play a part in the side’s four remaining fixtures against Wolves (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H), Liverpool (A) and Brighton & Hove Albion (H) in the Premier League.
Goalkeeper Jed Steer remains sidelined also, due to the long-term Achilles injury.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United could be without as many as seven first-team players heading into this Sunday’s game. Centre-back duo Lisandro MartΓnez and RaphaΓ«l Varane are two of the six guaranteed absentees for the clash at Old Trafford due to injury.
MartΓnez will not feature again for the Red Devils this season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot late on during United’s Europa League quarterfinal first-leg draw with Sevilla. Varane also suffered an injury in that fixture after being withdrawn at half-time with an ankle injury; the Frenchmen is expected to play again this season however, with the former Real Madrid man eyeing a return for the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City.
Also missing for United is winger Alejandro Garnacho who sustained an ankle injury during the 0-0 draw with Southampton last month, defender Phil Jones who has a serious knee injury and Dutch midfielder Donny Van de Beek who likewise suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this campaign.
Former Villan Tom Heaton is unavailable due to an ankle injury and Harry Maguire is a doubt thanks to a knock, but midfielder Scott McTominay could make his comeback and add to the Reds’ midfield options after missing the previous five fixtures.
Despite fears that he would be sidelined after being spotted in a protective boot earlier this week, midfielder Bruno Fernandes appeared in Thursday’s draw in North-London and is expected to start Sunday’s game too.
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A BIT ON MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United occupy fourth place in the Premier League on 60 points heading into the upcoming game-week; two points off third place Newcastle United with a game in hand. It has been a positive season for the Reds under head coach Erik ten Hag; the 53-year-old took full charge of Man United at the beginning of the season and has led the Red Devils to two domestic finals, a European quarterfinal and is in good stead for a top four finish.
The Dutchman won his first title in February after defeating Newcastle United by two goals to nil in the Carabao Cup final, thanks to first-half goals from Casemiro and top scorer Marcus Rashford. The Red Devils could also add a FA Cup trophy to this season’s honours as they gear up for a Manchester derby in the final at Wembley in June.
However, United did crash out of the Europa League quarterfinals after losing 5-2 on aggregate to six-time winners Sevilla. The first-leg at Old Trafford finished 2-2 after the Reds let a 2-0 lead slip late on, and an outstanding second-leg display from JosΓ© Luis Mendilibar’s side saw the LaLiga outfit through to the semifinals, becoming the new favourites for the competition.
Despite October’s 3-1 victory at Villa Park, Unai Emery and Aston Villa have lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford this season. The two sides were drawn against eachother in the third round of the Carabao Cup in November and although the away side led twice in the tie, United came away 4-2 victors and advanced through to the next round.
Will it be similar outcome when they meet again this weekend or can Emery guide his side to yet another victory over a top six outfit?
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PREDICTED LINE-UP
Letβs take a look at my predicted line-up for this upcoming fixtureβ¦
Do you agree? Who makes your side? Share yours now and let’s discuss?
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AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Authorβs UTV PODCAST archive Liam Davies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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