(Football news) Manchester United take on Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, hoping to consolidate their Champions League position for next season. Only six points separate the two teams going into the weekend and Erik ten Hag’s side will have a point to prove after squandering a two goal lead against Tottenham on Thursday night. The Red Devils were recently eliminated by Sevilla 5-2 on aggregate but managed to defeat Brighton on penalties to reach the FA Cup final.
Manchester United are currently unbeaten in 25 games at home with their last defeat being against Real Sociedad in the Europa League in September. They have conceded just eight goals from that time until now but a tricky fixture against Aston Villa awaits them, who the Red Devils have failed to beat in their last three Premier League meetings. Villa are also unbeaten in 10 games, securing an impressive tally of 26 points in that period.
Unami Emery has set a record for being the first manager to see his side score in his first 20 Premier League games in charge. The Spanish manager has never lost a Premier League game to Manchester United despite facing them four times and got the better of them in the 2021 Europa League final when he was manager of Villarreal. A victory against Manchester United would take them to within three points despite having played two games more.
In team news for Manchester United, Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire are doubtful while Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will not be available. Alejandro Garnacho is nearing full fitness but isn’t expected to feature in this match while Donny van de Beek is out for the season. As for Aston Villa, Matty Cash (calf) and Philippe Coutinho (thigh) are unavailable while Boubacar Kamara has an ankle injury and Leon Bailey has a hamstring issue.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Sancho
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Alex Moreno; Dendoncker, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Ramsey; Watkins
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