It’s 8th vs 3rd, Manchester United vs Aston Villa, but the teams are not at the positions one might expect them to be at.
For Aston Villa, 8th would generally be a positive campaign, however, they find themselves 3rd. For United, 3rd would be a good building block from last season, however, they are 8th.
Needless to say, these two teams are trending in extremely opposite directions, which makes this game the pick of the list on Boxing Day.
Here’s the match preview, team news, and prediction for the biggest boxing day fixture as two teams trending in opposite directions collide.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa preview
United are hurting. Erik ten Hag’s men are scoreless in their last four games, and Old Trafford is no longer a fortress either. They have played 24 games this season and already lost 13, more than they did in the entire last season.
Injuries have decimated the team but the tactical plan remains iffy at best too. Therefore, while every team will fancy their chances against the Red Devils on current form, Villa have the capacity to inflict the worst defeat on them.
Unai Emery’s men are flying high and put aside every prediction that they were just on a “hot streak”. Sheffield United put the breaks somewhat on their ascent with an unexpected draw but the momentum remains behind them. Furthermore, with Liverpool and Arsenal drawing on the last matchday, Villa would go top of the table after halfway through the campaign if they win here. Talk about motivation!
Manchester United vs Aston Villa predicted lineups
Manchester United team news
The less said about United’s team news, the better. That is because Erik ten Hag barely has a team to choose from currently. Just in their last match, Jonny Evans, a backup youth team CB from 2008 was paired with Willy Kambwala, a backup youth team CB from 2023.
The midfield remains decimated, the attack disjointed, and the goalkeeper unconvincing. The team that huffed and puffed against West Ham United is likely to take the field again here not due to their performances, but due to a lack of options beyond them.
Varane might be the only returnee if he has shaken off his illness, but he wouldn’t help much in fixing the anaemic attack. Diogo Dalot will return from his suspension but Wan-Bissaka’s good performance against West Ham should see him keep his place.
Predicted United XI: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Shaw, Mainoo, McTominay, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund
Aston Villa team news
The only injury worry and close call in the buildup to this game for the Villans is the status of Pau Torres. He suffered a knock on his ankle and Unai Emery said earlier this week that he is continuously improving and “could be” available for the game against United.
If Torres returns, Clement Lenglet will return to the bench. There are no other injury worries or returnees to speak of. Nicolo Zaniolo, their late saviour in the last game, might have to come off the bench again as Moussa Diaby and Leon Bailey are undroppables.
Predicted Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Torres, Konsa, Moreno, McGinn, Luiz, Bailey, Ramsey, Diaby, Watkins
Manchester United vs Aston Villa prediction
As said earlier, Old Trafford is no longer a fortress. The fans will be behind the team, but the team currently looks bereft of confidence, especially in front of goal.
Add to that Ten Hag’s persistence with Scott McTominay which imbalances the midfield, and the stage is set for Luiz and McGinn to feast on a depleted United.
Things at Old Trafford will get better, but only once the injured players return. Unfortunately for Ten Hag, they will get worse till then, and he might not be here to oversee the betterment. Expect another “upset” loss for United but if a 3rd-placed team beats an 8th-placed team, is it really an upset?
FootTheBall predicts Man Utd 1-2 Aston Villa.