Prediction: Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Verdict: Aston Villa win

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to collect another heavyweight scalp on Sunday afternoon, Aston Villa will welcome Manchester United to the Midlands.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, collecting what was an iconic 1-0 victory against German giants Bayern Munich earlier in the week, Aston Villa are in the midst of what has become a famous fairytale. Getting their Champions League adventure underway with back-to-back wins, Unai Emery’s men have only continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the continent. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, the former Arsenal boss will be confident of collecting another heavyweight scalp on Sunday afternoon. With their sights firmly set on securing another remarkable top-four finish this season, Aston Villa have gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. Marking their return from September’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 victory against Everton, Emery’s side have won all of their previous three showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 7-3.

Team News

Limping off against Bayern Munich earlier in the week, Aston Villa are expected to be without Jacob Ramsey on Sunday afternoon. However, although Belgium international Amadou Onana might have appeared in some discomfort at Villa Park in midweek, Emery’s side are hopeful that the former Everton midfielder can feature here.

Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, French midfielder Boubacar Kamara is not expected to be part of Villa’s squad. While the red-hot Jhon Duran might have bagged that famous winner against Bayern on Wednesday night, the Colombian marksmen will likely settle for a spot on the bench once again.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have eventually snatched a sensational last-gasp equaliser away at Porto earlier in the week, the pressure on Erik ten Hag’s shoulders remains at a boiling point. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last weekend as they fell to an infamous 3-0 drumming at home against Tottenham, many around Old Trafford have made their feelings abundantly clear. Drastically failing to find any kind of fluidity under the ex-Ajax boss, Sunday’s guests have registered just three wins from any of their first nine appearances across all competitions so far this season. Gaining quite the reputation for their glaring defensive struggles, United open this weekend’s fixtures battling it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table. Heading into September’s international break with another woeful 3-0 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Liverpool, ten Hag’s side will certainly face another stern examination in the Midlands here.

Team News

With last weekend’s first-half red card overturned following a successful appeal, Bruno Fernandes is free to feature at Villa Park. However, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Manchester United will be unable to call upon the likes of England international Luke Shaw and big-money summer recruit Leny Yoro.

Marking his first start of the season with a European strike away at Porto on Thursday night, Danish marksmen Rasmus Hojlund will be hoping to keep his spot. Settling for a spot on the bench in midweek after dealing with a minor knock, Kobbie Mainoo will make a full return in the Midlands.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Aston Villa and Manchester United last met back on February 11th, the Red Devils collected a 2-1 victory at Villa Park.
• In fact, United have won each of their previous four consecutive showdowns against Aston Villa across all competitions.
• Villa have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous eight meetings against Sunday’s guests.
• The last four meetings between Sunday’s opponents at Villa Park have produced 15 goals at both ends of the pitch.
• Seven of the last eight meetings between Aston Villa and Manchester United have finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Clinching what was a famous 1-0 victory against German giants Bayern Munich earlier in the week, Aston Villa will be confident of collecting another heavyweight scalp here. Enjoying what has quickly become an iconic fairytale, Emery’s men should be relishing Manchester United’s trip to the Midlands on Sunday afternoon. While the Red Devils might have eventually snatched a dramatic last-gasp equaliser away at Porto in midweek, the Red Devils have still continued to show a host of issues and will be more than aware that they face a real challenge here.

Verdict: Aston Villa win

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet