Aston Villa welcome Manchester United to Villa Park in the Premier League’s late Sunday afternoon kick off.
The hosts come into this with a very realistic chance of maintaining their challenge for a finish in the Champions League places after a fairytale first half of the season which saw them sitting top of the table at one point.
It’s been a slightly different story for United, however. The main criticism of Erik ten Hag’s side has been lack of consistency this campaign and it leaves them eight points off Villa as they head into this important match up.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at the game in the hopes we can provide you with some winning betting tips.
Back in form
Unai Emery’s side looked to have returned to form after a resounding 5-0 win over Sheffield United last weekend. There were five different scorers on that day and it will have provided a big confidence boost. Villa fans will be hopeful that the 3-1 midweek FA Cup defeat to Chelsea hasn’t rocked the players as they prepare to take on the Red Devils.
United seem to have turned a bit of a corner themselves of late, going unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions. They’ll be keen to keep that momentum going as they travel to the midlands looking to close the gap between themselves and their hosts in the race for a top four spot.
Fortress
Villa’s home form this season has been almost perfect. Their recent 3-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle at the end of January was their only league loss on home soil this season. The Villans will also have to pick themselves up after that midweek loss to Chelsea, but they’re more than capable of doing that with the quality of players at Emery’s disposal.
Recently, United’s away form has picked up, having won each of their last three on the road in all competitions. It should be noted, however, that two of those wins came against lower league opposition in Wigan and Newport respectively. Even their most recent win away at Wolves could just have easily ended in a draw. The visitors will have to be on top of their game here.
Firepower
The hosts come into this game with the Premier League’s fifth top goalscorer of the campaign in Ollie Watkins. The 28 year old striker has been involved in four goals in his last three games for Villa, netting two for himself in that time. He’ll be keen to grab himself another, having not managed to do so when the two sides last met on Boxing Day. In that most recent clash, Villa took an early two goal lead in the game. But United produced a memorable comeback in the second half to win 3-2. In form Rasmus Hojlund got the winner that day.
Suggested bets
- Aston Villa to Win & BTTS
- Ollie Watkins & Rasmus Hojlund Both to Score
- 3-1 Correct Score
