Aston Villa v Manchester United betting tips: Schedule makes United vulnerable
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Preview and odds for Sunday’s match
Manchester United start a busy schedule of three Premier League matches in five days with a trip to Villa Park on Sunday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men reached the Europa League final on Thursday night but their focus for the next few days is very much on the league.
Aston Villa have struggled for consistency in the second half of the season but will hope to take advantage of United’s fixture congestion as they seek a top-half finish.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 2.05pm and is live on Sky Sports. Here we analyse the form of both teams to help you with your Aston Villa v Manchester United betting tips.
Aston Villa v Manchester United match odds
United remain unbeaten on their travels in the Premier League this season and are 4/5 favourites to extend that run with a victory.
Squad rotation looks inevitable, though, given they also face Leicester on Tuesday and Liverpool on Thursday.
Speaking about the schedule after the second leg of the Europa League semi-final in Rome, Solskjaer told BT Sport: “It’s unheard of. It’s made by people who have never played football at this level.
“It’s physically impossible for the players. We have not been dealt a good hand. We are going to need everyone for these four games. It’s a short turnaround but we have to be ready.”
That will give Villa hope and they are 7/2 for the win or 21/20 to avoid defeat. They got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at Everton last weekend but have not managed back-to-back triumphs since December.
Backing both teams to score has paid out in their last five matches and that run is 8/13 to continue.
Aston Villa v Manchester United head-to-head
Villa are yet to beat United in their three meetings since returning to the Premier League, losing two and drawing one.
They have gone 17 matches in all competitions against United without a win, with their last victory against the Red Devils coming in 2009 when Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the only goal at Old Trafford.
The most recent meeting was on New Year’s Day when United won 2-1, a result which they are 7/1 to repeat.
Anthony Martial opened the scoring late in the first half before Bertrand Traore equalised just before the hour, only for Bruno Fernandes to put United back in front three minutes later with a penalty.
Previous XI
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, McGinn, Traore, Barkley, El Ghazi, Watkins.
Manchester United: De Gea, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Pogba, Fred, Fernandes, Van de Beek, Cavani, Greenwood.
Team news
Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, who has missed the last 11 matches due to a shin problem, misses out again but is set to start training with his team-mates on Saturday. Morgan Sanson and Trezeguet are also out with knee injuries.
Solskjaer has warned of sweeping changes for United and may change entire starting XIs to cope with the run of fixtures.
Key battles
United eased to an 8-5 aggregate victory against Roma which will give Villa hope of also causing problems for United’s defence.
Striker Ollie Watkins has scored three goals in his last five games but he will have to find a way past either Dean Henderson – preferred in the Premier League recently – or David de Gea, who produced some fine saves in Italy and was described as the “standout performer” by Solskjaer.
Marcus Rashford was on the bench until the 73rd minute against Roma so should start here. He is 5/1 to open the scoring and could be up against Matty Cash.
The Villa defender will hope for better fortune against the red half of Manchester having been sent off against City last month.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
