Aston Villa vs Manchester United Preview
- Villa to win
- Duran to score
Aston Villa’s Unai Emery Revolution
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are riding high after their stunning 1-0 midweek victory over six-time European champions Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
The result makes it two wins from two for the Villains in the competition, and Emiliano Martínez described the performance as a “statement” for a club that was battling relegation just before Emery’s appointment in late 2022.
Emery has transformed the club’s fortunes, and it all began with a home victory against Manchester United last season. Villa fans will hope for a repeat performance as they aim to keep pace with the early Premier League leaders.
With just one loss in six league matches (W4, D1), their tally makes this their best start to a season since 2008/09. The home atmosphere at Villa Park is expected to be buzzing, with confidence high as they look to continue their winning ways.
Manchester United’s Struggles and Historical Edge
Manchester United find themselves in a tough situation, a stark contrast to their dominant form in 2008/09 when they were crowned Premier League champions for a third consecutive year.
Under-fire manager Erik ten Hag is facing increasing scrutiny after a week that saw his side lose 3-0 to Tottenham and then squander a 2-0 lead to Porto, needing a stoppage-time equaliser to scrape a point.
Currently 13th in the Premier League standings (W2, D1, L3), United’s season needs a significant lift.
One potential source of encouragement is their historical dominance over Aston Villa, having lost just once in their last 25 Premier League visits to Villa Park (W16, D8).
Moreover, United’s 40 Premier League wins over Villa are just one shy of the all-time record for victories by one team over another, a record they share with their tally against Everton.
Key Players to Watch
Jhon Durán (Aston Villa)
Durán was the hero of the midweek Champions League match, coming off the bench to score a decisive late winner. The Colombian striker has a knack for clutch moments, scoring beyond the hour mark on five occasions this season.
With his ability to make an impact as a substitute, Durán will be one to watch if Villa need a late push.
Rasmus Højlund (Manchester United)
Højlund has fond memories of facing Villa, scoring both home and away in a pair of victories against them last season.
The Danish forward got on the scoresheet against Porto on Thursday in his first start of the season, and his pace and goal-scoring instinct will be crucial for a United side struggling to find consistency.
Villa’s Strong Start vs United’s Defensive Woes
- Villa’s start to the season: Just one loss in their first six league matches (W4, D1), their best start since 2008/09.
- United’s struggles: Enter the match in 13th place (W2, D1, L3), with defensive frailties showing in their tendency to concede goals.
- United’s H2H dominance: Just one loss in their last 25 Premier League visits to Villa Park (W16, D8).
- Hot stat: Since the start of last season, Manchester United have conceded 2+ goals in 31 matches across all competitions—the most in the Premier League.
Conclusion
Aston Villa come into this match as a team on the rise, buoyed by their midweek success and strong start to the league campaign.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are under immense pressure to turn their season around, and their historical dominance over Villa could provide a much-needed boost.
Given both teams’ recent form and contrasting fortunes, this clash promises to be a high-intensity encounter with plenty of attacking play.
Prediction: Aston Villa to capitalise on their momentum and exploit Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses, securing a crucial home victory.
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Aston Villa v Man Utd, 2024/25 | Premier League