With one defeat in ten competitive matches, Manchester are well placed to not only push for European qualification but to extend their run of not losing a Premier League H2H here since 1995!
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have an immediate chance to gain revenge on Manchester United after Monday’s contentious 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford in which they had two goals disallowed. Having lost three competitive games in a row for just the second time in his senior managerial career, these are testing times for new Villa boss Steven Gerrard, whose side still hover above the bottom-five though he’ll hope new arrivals Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho can help them move further away from the relegation zone as the season continues. More positively, Villa have scored in all nine of their home league games this term, also doing so in last term’s corresponding fixture – though they eventually lost 3-1. The ‘Villians’ have failed to net a home league goal inside the opening ten minutes however, so a quick start is unlikely, yet with 67 per cent of their Premier League goals this term at Villa Park falling after half-time, they usually finish strong.
Manchester United
Amid rumours of discontent, Manchester United’s results – if not their performances – are doing the talking. With one defeat in ten competitive matches, they’re well placed to not only push for European qualification but to extend their run of not losing a Premier League H2H here since 1995! Another victory in this clash would also see the visitors make history by becoming the first Premier League side to win 300 away matches. Scoring exactly two-thirds of their league goals after half-time this season, that trend could continue here given the fact that across each of their last four league away games, their only goals came after the break.
Danny Ings’ goal for Aston Villa against Brentford was his fourth Premier League goal of the season and third consecutive match-opener, while Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has scored three penalties in four Premier League appearances versus Villa. Villa have lost all seven Premier League games this campaign in which they’ve trailed at half-time.