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Aston Villa look to continue their unlikely Premier League title challenge against Manchester United at Villa Park.
Victory could see Villa climb to third if Arsenal lose by a heavy margin, whilst Man Utd will stay sixth with a win.
Team News
Pau Torres is set to start after he was named as an eventually unused substitute in Aston Villa’s FA Cup exit against Chelsea in midweek, having recently recovered from an ankle injury.
Lucas Digne (hamstring) is a doubt but Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings (both knee), Jhon Duran (hamstring) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain ruled out.
Man Utd will be without Lisandro Martinez after he suffered a knee injury during their home win against West Ham.
Aaron Wan Bissaka (knock), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Mason Mount (calf) and Anthony Martial (groin) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Villa host Man Utd at Villa Park on Sunday 11 February in a 4:30pm GMT kick-off, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa are unbeaten in three of their last five league meetings against Man Utd (W2, D1, L2).
- Man Utd have claimed ten points from their last five league visits to Aston Villa (W3, D1, L1).
- Jacob Ramsey has scored in each of Villa’s last two home matches against Man Utd in the Premier League (W1, D1).
- No English player coming into this matchweek has produced more assists than Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who has created 10 assists in 23 league appearances this season.
- Bruno Fernandes has produced more shots this season in the Premier League than any other Man Utd player, with 56 shots in 22 appearances.
Prediction
After Wednesday’s FA Cup exit against Chelsea where their end product simply did a vanishing act until too late amidst woeful defending, Villa now must reset and look to return to the high-intensity attack which suffocated Sheffield United last weekend.
Man Utd meanwhile totally outclassed West Ham in a dominant and energetic attacking performance but they will need to be wary of Villa’s fast-paced attacking play here, which could pose huge issues especially if Jacob Ramsey is involved given his thirst for scoring at home to United.
I therefore do expect this game to be close but if Villa can tighten up and impose their game upon Utd in a way that they weren’t able to against Chelsea, I can see them edging this but there should really be goals at both ends.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United
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