Manchester United vs Aston Villa
A Premier League meeting between two of English football’s establishments—one of whom is underachieving, the other is flying high following successive wins against the champions and last season’s runners-up.
This game also pits together two men I consider to be among the best managers in Europe, both striving to make their mark in English football and bring success to two passionate football hotbeds.
With the match not taking place until Boxing Day night, most of the turkey and tinsel should also have digested nicely for what could well be one of the most exciting encounters over the festive period.
Talking Points
Now it goes without saying that Manchester United need the points after a largely miserable December, and they are expected to win every match at home anyway.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are chasing their third big scalp of the month as they emerge as potential title pretenders.
Their recent run of Premier League 2023 highlights came to a halt on Friday night when only a last-gasp equaliser rescued a point against the side that started the day rock bottom.
Yet, to their credit, they earned a point after falling behind in the 87th minute.
The fact they felt flat at full-time also spoke volumes for the resurgence they are enjoying under Unai Emery.
They are still flying high, though, and should be near full strength for the visit to Old Trafford with the exception of Boubacar Kamara, as he serves the second of a three-match ban for violent conduct, and possibly summer recruits Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres, who were absent against the Blades.
How would the hosts like to be without just two or three players?
They may welcome back one man from suspension in Diogo Dalot whose quick-fire yellow cards against Liverpool, which prompted a one-match ban last weekend, was as farcical as any decision this season – and there have been plenty – while they will also hope that Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial can return from illness.
Varane in particular, was a big loss as United went down 2-0 at West Ham on Saturday.
It meant Erik ten Hag, linked with making sweeping changes in the January transfer window, was without all four of his first-choice centre backs which led to a debut for an unknown 19 year-old French centre-back Willy Kambwala alongside veteran Jonny Evans, who was re-signed on a 12-month loan deal this summer as cover.
No one could genuinely have expected him to figure out so much.
Throw in the absences of midfield ace Casemiro, Mason Mount, and Christian Eriksen (who was back on the subs bench in east London), alongside Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof, and the self-inflicted exile of Jadon Sancho, and you can see why they are experiencing such poor form.
Whether you are a glass half-empty fan (it is their most defeats before Christmas since 1930) or a glass half-full (they have failed to score in four successive games in all competitions for the first time since November 1992, a campaign when they went on to win the title), one thing that needs addressing immediately is in front of goal.
Their 18 goals in 18 league games so far represent a poor return and the joint second fewest in the top flight to date.
They need to get their shooting boots on quickly.
History
Villa have won twice at Old Trafford in 35 league visits since November 1983.
They played each other three times last season.
In Emery’s first game in charge of the Midlanders, Villa opened up a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes on their way to a 3-1 win. Leon Bailey, Lucas Digne, and Jacob Ramsey were the marksmen for the home team.
Four days later, United gained revenge at Old Trafford as they twice came from behind to launch an ultimately successful League Cup campaign.
After trailing to Ollie Watkins and an own goal, Martial, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Scott McTominay were on target in a 4-2 win.
Fernandes also scored the only goal as United won this fixture in late April en route to securing Champions League football – a competition they want to be back in next term.
Overall, United have 104 victories against Villa who have tasted success on 51 occasions themselves with a further 41 draws.
Betting Tip
Manchester United have the edge with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds, even though they are currently behind Villa in the standings.
Perhaps that is partly because Villa have only won twice at Old Trafford in the Premier 2023 League era.
The home side are priced 1X2 @ 2.26 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 1.77 with Villa on offer 1X2 @ 2.75 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 3.24.
The draw will pay out @ 3.39 and a re-run of last season’s corresponding fixture, Correct Score 1-0, is available @ 10.00. Over 3,00 goals @ 2.11 has caught my eye but so has total goal 0-1 @ 3.99 an d2-3 @ 2.02.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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