Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Betting tips, predictions, odds & match preview

Manchester United will look to consolidate second place in the Premier League when they welcome high-flying Aston Villa to Old Trafford on Friday at 8pm.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Predictions

After winning just two of their opening six Premier League games, Manchester United have catapulted themselves up to second and just two points adrift of reigning champions and current pace-setters Liverpool, but they face an in-form Aston Villa on Friday, who currently occupy fifth in the table.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer experienced arguably his lowest ebb as Man Utd boss at the start of November when Arsenal ended a 14-year duck at Old Trafford in the top-flight, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealing a 1-0 win via a spot-kick, but since that night, his side have gone nine games on the trot without defeat.

That run includes seven victories, including the 6-2 thrashing of ‘Roses’ rivals Leeds, and a recent 1-0 triumph at the expense of Wolves, in which Marcus Rashford sealed a last-gasp winner. Villa likewise are in the midst of a purple patch themselves and could inch up to third with a win over the Red Devils.

Dean Smith’s side are unbeaten in five and recently took a point off Frank Lampard’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the latest ‘Big Six’ victims of the Villans. Solskjaer will be quick to remember that 7-2 mauling of Liverpool and the equally impressive 3-0 triumph over Arsenal, so will not be expecting an easy ride on Friday.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Betting Tips

Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. Terms and Conditions Apply.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Match Stats

Bruno Fernandes has registered the fourth-most shots in the Premier League this season, more than any other Man Utd player

Marcus Rashford may be the reliable goal-getter and David de Gea the bulwark between the sticks, but Bruno Fernandes is the talisman, the creative hub of Man Utd. Since his debut, no player has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than him (18 goals, 14 assists). He has that irrepressible verve that is so difficult for opposition managers to counter.

For Villa, Jack Grealish is their equivalent, a player of such grace and vision that you struggle to keep your eye off him. But, he will be having a quiet word or two with his attacking teammate, Ollie Watkins (13), who is second only to renowned speedster Jamie Vardy (14) for most offsides this term, though he may feel hard done by as two of those were fractional VAR decisions which chalked out goals against West Ham and West Brom.

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Squawka Says

Scoreline prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Aston Villa

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Head to Head

09 July 2020 – Aston Villa 0-3 Man Utd – Premier League

01 December 2019 – Man Utd 2-2 Aston Villa – Premier League

16 April 2016 – Man Utd 1-0 Aston Villa – Premier League

14 August 2015 – Aston Villa 0-1 Man Utd – Premier League

04 April 2015 – Man Utd 3-1 Aston Villa – Premier League

Last season produced two memorable games between these clubs. Grealish scored that absolute screamer from an impossible angle to break the deadlock at Old Trafford in a thrilling 2-2 stalemate, while at Villa Park there was some controversy with a questionable penalty decision that went in favour of the visitors. Either way, Man Utd cruised to a 3-0 victory in the end, and Smith will now be desperate to avenge that loss.