Aston Villa vs Manchester United: Preview, Team News, Predicted Lineups and Score Prediction

Sunday's standout Premier League fixture features a tantalizing clash in the West Midlands as title-chasing Aston Villa host top-four hopefuls Manchester United.

Unai Emery's high-flying Villa are aiming for a remarkable tenth consecutive victory across all competitions, while the Red Devils look to extend their own unbeaten league run to five matches.

Aston Villa have firmly established themselves as genuine title contenders, whether their manager Unai Emery chooses to admit it or not. Having distanced themselves from the chasing pack in the hunt for Champions League qualification, their consistent winning form has propelled them into the top-tier conversation.

The Villans demonstrated their resilience last weekend at the London Stadium, staging a comeback to defeat West Ham United 3-2, thanks to a stellar performance from Morgan Rogers. This victory kept them within striking distance of the league's top two.

Currently, Villa sit four points behind Manchester City and six adrift of leaders Arsenal but a win would see them cut the gap with the leaders to three.

A win on Sunday would be historic for the club. It would mark their tenth straight victory in all competitions for the first time since 1914 and their seventh consecutive Premier League win—a feat they last achieved in the top flight back in 1990.

Standing in their way is a Manchester United side sitting seven points behind them in the table. The Red Devils' faithful will feel that gap should be smaller following a chaotic draw against Bournemouth on Monday night.

United managed to preserve their impressive home record of never losing a Premier League match when leading at halftime, but they let three separate leads slip in a wild eight-goal thriller. While scoring four goals in consecutive games—following a demolition of Wolves—is a positive sign, a dreadful defensive display and the departures of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to the Africa Cup of Nations may temper optimism.

Despite their inconsistencies, Ruben Amorim's team remains in contention for a top-four spot. They have been particularly entertaining on their travels, with both teams scoring in each of their last six away league matches.

Villa Park has historically been a favorable ground for Manchester United, whose 18 Premier League wins there are second only to their 19 victories at Everton. However, it was Emery who guided Villa to their most recent home win against the Red Devils in 2022.

Aston Villa's number one goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, who was heavily linked with Manchester United in the summer, has missed the last two games with a back injury. However, he is reportedly "feeling much better" and could return for this clash.

The hosts will be without Pau Torres (calf), Tyrone Mings (thigh), and Ross Barkley (knee). Additionally, Harvey Elliott has been unwell, and Jadon Sancho is ineligible to play against his parent club. Former United defender Victor Lindelof is expected to continue deputising for the injured Torres.

For the visitors, defenders Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Harry Maguire (thigh) are not yet ready to return. United will also be missing Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo, and Amad Diallo, who are set for AFCON duty.

The absence of Diallo and Mazraoui could see Patrick Dorgu return to the starting lineup, allowing Diogo Dalot to move to right wing-back. Benjamin Sesko, recently recovered from a knee issue, is likely to fill in for Mbeumo in attack. Manager Ruben Amorim must also address Casemiro's suspension, which could open the door for Kobbie Mainoo to make his first Premier League start of the season.

The match will kick off at 7.30pm East African time.

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Konsa, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins

Manchester United: Lammens; Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Dalot, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Sesko

Match Prediction: Aston Villa 3-2 Manchester United