HARRY MAGUIRE will START in place of the injured Lisandro Martinez as Manchester United hope to close the gap on the top four with a win against Aston Villa TODAY!
The Red Devils picked up three points last time out with a comprehensive win over West Ham at Old Trafford.
A win over the Villans could be a huge boost to Manchester United as they are currently eight points behind.
Aston Villa have slowed their Champions League charge in recent weeks, having had a muddled set of results.
Kick-off: 4.30pm GMT.
TV channel/live stream: Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Football.
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- Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Lenglet, Diego Carlos, Moreno, McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins.
- Manchester United XI: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw, Mainoo, Casemiro, Bruno, Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho.
Follow all the action with our live blog below…
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Red Devils remain absolutely Feb-ulous
One of the more astonishing statistics to emerge in the build-up to this fixture is Manchester United’s ability to pick up points in February.
In fact, the Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 24 Premier League matches to take place during the second month of the year (W15 D9) since losing 1-0 to Newcastle back in 2018 under José Mourinho.
How Villa ended home hoodoo
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are a force to be reckoned with on their own patch, but that hasn’t always been the case – especially where Manchester United are concerned.
The Villa won this won this exact fixture 3-1 last season, and in doing so ended a 23-game winless run at home to United in the Premier League.
Goals from Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne had the hosts two-up inside the opening 11 minutes, and although a Jacob Ramsey own-goal on the stroke of half-time offered United hope, the Villa youngster netted in the right end straight after the break to seal the deal.
A repeat today and it will be the first time that Villa have won consecutive home league games against the Red Devils since five in a row between 1966 and 1977.
Mainoo man in United midfield
Erik ten Hag makes just a single change to the team that eased past West Ham (don’t they all?) last weekend.
Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury against the Hammers that is set to keep him out for a number of weeks, and so United’s Dutch coach recalls the experienced Raphael Varane.
It means his midfield is once again marshalled by Casemiro and 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who has really caught the eye since breaking into the first team at Old Trafford.
Villa set to keep shape
Unai Emery makes two changes to the side that he sent out to demolish Sheffield United last week.
Ezri Konsa is set for a spell on the sidelines and so Matty Cash is drafted back in to replace him at right-back.
Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans drops to the bench despite his goal at Bramall Lane, and his place in attacking midfield goes to Jacob Ramsey.
Tielemans is also the one player to drop out of the team following Wednesday’s disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Chelsea.
Ten Hag brings in Varane
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): 24 Onana; 20 Dalot, 5 Maguire, 19 Varane, 23 Shaw; 18 Casemiro, 37 Mainoo; 17 Garnacho, 8 Fernandes, 10 Rashford; 11 Hojlund
Subs: 1 Bayindir, 2 Lindelof, 4 Amrabat, 14 Eriksen, 16 Diallo, 21 Antony, 35 Evans, 39 McTominay, 62 Forson
Credit: @ManUtd Twitter Cash back for Emery’s Villa
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): 1 Martinez; 2 Cash, 3 Carlos, 17 Lenglet, 15 Moreno; 44 Kamara, 6 Luiz; 31 Bailey, 41 Ramsey, 7 McGinn; 11 Watkins
Subs: 25 Olsen, 8 Tielemans, 12 Digne, 14 Torres, 19 Diaby, 22 Zaniolo, 27 Rogers, 29 Kesler-Hayden, Iroegbunam
Credit: @AVFCOfficial Villa favourites to topple United
Never mind the fact that Manchester United have won on 17 of their 28 Premier League visits to Villa Park, today is all about this United side and this Villa team – and, unsurprisingly, it sees the hosts chalked up as favourites at a shade of odds against.
- Aston Villa win 11/10
- Draw 11/4
- Man Utd win 2/1
Odds from Paddy Power correct at the time of post publication.
Good afternoon from Villa Park
Welcome to live SunSport coverage of Aston Villa against Manchester United in the Premier League.
After Tottenham’s late, late show yesterday, Villa can move back into the Champions League places this afternoon – but only if they avoid defeat.
That’s something the Claret and Blue have become adept at on home soil in the past year although they did falter last time out here against Newcastle.
Kick-off is at 4.30pm, and teams news is coming up…
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
