A new-look Manchester United made off with all three points in their season opener with Tottenham. But based on that performance, the Red Devils still look far from the finished article. United will hope to put on a more convincing showing at Villa Park, which has historically been one of their favorite grounds to visit.
Villa were severely weakened during the summer, but manager Tim Sherwood has had a knack for getting the most of what he’s got to work with. Can his Villa side come away with anything in their home opener against United, though? Read on for our preview of this rare Premier League Friday matchup.
You can also check out our preview of Monday’s matchup involving Liverpool vs. Bournemouth, which caps of four straight days of EPL action.
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Aston Villa vs. Manchester United Preview
Where: Villa Park, Birmingham
When: Friday, August 14, 8:30 AM ET
Line: Manchester United -180 at Aston Villa +460, tie +245; total: 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Aston Villa
Aston Villa kicked off their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 away win over newly-promoted Bournemouth. Tim Sherwood’s side lost a bunch of last season’s key players over the summer – including top scorer Christian Benteke, captain Fabian Delph, and center back Ron Vlaar – and the lack of cohesion and quality showed in their opening match.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Villa struggled to keep hold of the ball – they had just 42 percent of possession – and hardly threatened in attack. New striker Jordan Ayew, who scored 12 times in 29 games for Lorient in France last season, didn’t get a single shot in.
Thankfully, Rudy Gestede, another one of their newly-recruited strikers, came off the bench to head in the decisive goal. The 6’4″ Gestede offers a physical and aerial threat to the Villa attack, which could be a big advantage against a United team that’s playing the unimposing Daley Blind in central defense.
Teenage sensation Jack Grealish missed the game against Bournemouth due to a hamstring injury, and is doubtful to play against United. Meanwhile, Adama Traore, their new teenage signing from Barcelona, might not be ready to make his debut.
The Villans have historically struggled against United at home, but they could grab at least a point if they can sit deep and frustrate a United attack that has yet to fire on all cylinders. They held United to a 1-1 draw in this fixture last season, the only point they gained against the top four at home.
Manchester United started off their season on the right foot with a 1-0 home win over Tottenham, but it was a far from convincing performance overall. They created precious few goal scoring opportunities, and their one shot on target didn’t even count their goal, which was an own goal from Spurs’ Kyle Walker.
On the bright side, though, new boys Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, and Morgan Schneiderlin all played well on their debut. Sergio Romero also put in a decent shift while starting in goal over David De Gea. With the transfer saga concerning United’s No. 1 still not resolved, Romero could continue deputizing in goal against Villa.
The new-look United midfield – with Schneiderlin, Michael Carrick and Memphis playing just behind Wayne Rooney – should find it pretty easy to boss around a young and inexperienced Villa midfield that struggled to get a hold of the ball against lowly Bournemouth.
Moreover, Rooney will be favored to open his goal scoring account for the season against Villa. The English talisman has scored 13 goals in his career against the Villans, the most goals he’s scored against than any other Premier League club.
Rooney has scored seven goals in his last nine meetings with Villa, with United winning eight of those nine games. United has gone undefeated in all competitions against Villa at Villa Park since 1995.
Writer’s Prediction
United (-180) has too much quality for Villa as Rooney bags another goal in a 2-0 away win.
