Sunday afternoon brings an intriguing clash as Manchester United visit Aston Villa, with both teams eyeing crucial points to shape their respective league positions.
Manchester United, led by Erik ten Hag, currently sit sixth in the table, trailing fifth-placed Unai Emery’s side by nine points. A victory at Villa Park would narrow this gap to five points, providing a significant boost for United, who enter the game with momentum after winning their last three matches across all competitions.
Despite high expectations, it’s been a somewhat underwhelming season for Manchester United, as reflected in their league form. The January transfer window passed without any new signings, leaving Ten Hag to rely on his existing squad to deliver results until the end of the season.
In contrast, Aston Villa has exceeded expectations this season, enjoying a stellar campaign under Unai Emery’s guidance. Currently below Tottenham in fourth place, a win against United would propel Villa into the highly coveted top four.
The match between Aston Villa and Manchester United will take place on Sunday, February 11, kicking off at 4:30pm at Villa Park. The last encounter between these teams at Old Trafford saw United clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory, showcasing the unpredictability of this fixture.
In the Premier League era, these teams have met 57 times, with Manchester United emerging as the dominant force with 39 victories. Aston Villa has managed only five wins during this period, with 13 draws.
How to Watch:
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League will broadcast the game live, with coverage starting at 4pm. Additionally, viewers can tune in to the earlier clash between Arsenal and West Ham on the same channels from 1pm.
Team News:
Manchester United faces a setback as Lisandro Martinez suffers knee ligament damage, sidelining him for approximately eight weeks. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and several other players, including Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, and Anthony Martial, are also unavailable for selection.
Aston Villa is set to welcome back Pau Torres and Lucas Digne, with Torres expected to make his first start in eight weeks. However, Ezri Konsa will miss out due to a knee sprain.
