Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Manchester United will welcome Aston Villa at Old Trafford in a midweek Premier League clash on Boxing Day.
The Red Devils are coming in this game after a 2-0 loss to West Ham United, whereas Aston Villa drew 1-1 against Sheffield United.
Match Preview
With a 2-0 defeat to West Ham, Erik ten Hag’s side now sit in eighth position in the Premier League. Moreover, this is their eighth loss of the season and 13th in all competitions before Christmas.
Furthermore, they are also on a four-game scoreless streak for the first time since 1992. The last time they scored a goal was against Chelsea in a 2-1 win on December 6.
Since then, they have come up short against Bayern Munich, West Ham and Bournemouth while holding Liverpool to a goalless draw.
Despite losing the last four out of the seven games at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have a record of 21 Boxing Day wins in the Premier League.
After a 1-1 draw against the Blades, Aston Villa missed a huge opportunity to claim the first spot in the league, as later Arsenal and Liverpool also drew 1-1 against each other.
Former Villa striker Cameron Archer scored an 87th-minute goal to shock the Villa Park. However, Nicolo Zaniolo’s stoppage-time equaliser gave Unai Emery’s side a point.
The Lions are still in third place, level on points with Liverpool and one behind Arsenal. The last time Villa won at Old Trafford was in 2021 when the Stretford End were subjected to an Emiliano Martinez dance show.
However, the Red Devils have won their last three games against Villa at Old Trafford.
Manchester United team news
Manchester United’s squad has been ravaged by a virus, Rasmus Hojlund, Varane, and Martial will be out for this game.
However, Christian Eriksen is back from his knee injury and played some minutes against West Ham as well. Diogo Dalot will return from suspension.
Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, and Tyrell Malacia are all out for Man United.
Aston Villa team news
Matty Cash will be suspended for this game after picking up his fifth yellow card and will join Boubacar Kamara on the absentee list.
Pau Torres will be unavailable after picking up a knock, so Emery will start Konsa at right-back and Diego Carlos and Clement Lenglet as centre-back pairing.
Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Bertrand Traore, Tielemans, and Robin Olsen will miss the trip to Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Predicted line-ups
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Evans, Varane, Reguilon; McTominay, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
Aston Villa (4-4-2): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Lenglet, Moreno; Zaniolo, McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey; Diaby, Watkins
Prediction
Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa
Since 1978/79 Manchester United have not lost a home game on Boxing Day, but, this season, their form has been worrying. However, with Villa’s poor defensive display away from home United can turn the situation around.
