The big clash in the Premier League this weekend will see Unai Emery’s Aston Villa host Man United.
Simply put, it will be a must-win encounter for Erik Ten Hag, as the upcoming international break will be seen by the United hierarchy as the perfect opportunity to make a managerial change.
Wins for United on the road against top-ten sides have been in short supply, while Villa have already shown their quality at Villa Park against the best in the competition across the last two seasons after recording home wins over Arsenal and Man City.
A defeat on Sunday could push Ten Hag out of the United exit door.
Odds Make Aston Villa Narrow Favorites
Villa Park has been effectively a second home ground for Man United throughout Premier League history. Therefore, it isn’t much of a surprise to see a close betting market despite the form of both sides in recent weeks.
| Match Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Aston Villa | +132 |
| Draw | +275 |
| Man United | +197 |
Unai Emery Has Been a Problem for Man United Since He Took Charge of Aston Villa
| Total | Aston Villa | Man United | Draws | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 60 | 4 | 42 | 14 |
| Premier League Games | 52 | 3 | 36 | 13 |
| Goals | 157 | 43 | 114 |
Unai Emery masterminded a home win over United in his first match in charge in November 2022, which was Villa’s first success in front of their home fans against the Red Devils since 1995.
The Red Devils have won on seven of their last nine visits to the Second City, netting at least three times in two of the last four. Despite issues surrounding Ten Hag, the trends could point to value for the away side.
🚨 ⚽️ TIP: Both teams have scored in this fixture in four of the last five (BTTS: -200)
Aston Villa Team News
Club captain John McGinn is likely to miss out this weekend due to a hamstring issue, while Matty Cash is also a doubt.
Therefore, Ezri Konsa is once again likely to deputize at right-back. Tyrone Mings is nearing a return from an ACL injury, but Sunday’s clash will come too soon for the England international.
Possible Lineup
Emi Martinez (GK); Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, Aaron Ramsey, Ollie Watkins
Man United Team News
Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo both limped off in United’s heavy defeat at home to Tottenham last Sunday. Harry Maguire could be fit enough to return to the bench at Villa Park.
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, and Tyrell Malacia are all out. Bruno Fernandes is available after United’s successful appeal against his red card against Tottenham.
Possible Lineup
Andre Onana (GK); Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot; Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen, Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Rasmus Hojlund.
Aston Villa vs. Man United Prediction
We could be in the final days of the Ten Hag era at Man United, and this looks to be a daunting assignment at Villa Park.
Defensive issues against top sides were evident in United’s heavy defeat at home to Spurs last week, and it could be more of the same against a very exciting Villa side on Sunday.
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