Manchester United are coming off an enormous 2-1 win against red-hot Liverpool on Sunday. They’ll have a chance to flex their muscles again against Aston Villa, who managed to hold them to a draw in the first meeting this season.
Can Manchester United clinch the full three points? Or will Villa prove pesky enough to leave Old Trafford with at least a point? Read on as we break down this crucial match in the Premier League.
Get more of the world’s best soccer action. Check out our complete preview for the Arsenal vs. Liverpool match also on the same night.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]An automatic bid to the Champions League lies in store for Manchester United. But they’ll need a couple of things to fall their way. The Red Devils need to win this match against lowly Aston Villa and have Arsenal, who are just a point ahead of United, lose or draw against Liverpool. Aston Villa are playing for their own spot as well (in the Premier League that is) as they are just three points ahead of the relegation zone.
Betting on Manchester United
Most of the talk may be on Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and the 21 goals between them this season. But Manchester United have stormed to the top four in the Premier League due to excellent play from their midfield.
The midfield trio of Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick have been excellent over the past two matches. Carrick had a goal and an assist in United’s 3-0 drubbing of Tottenham on March 15. Mata and Herrera were not to be outdone, though. Mata scored a brace a week later against Liverpool at Anfield, one courtesy of a Herrera pass.
Marouane Fellaini also cannot be left out. He opened the scoring just eight minutes into the match against Tottenham. He also played a role in Mata’s impressive scissor-kick goal against Liverpool. The devastating combination in midfield could be further highlighted against Aston Villa. The Red Devils are undefeated in their last six matches against Villa (5-0-1), outscoring their opposition 18-4.
United aren’t all offense, though. The pairing of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling has kept defense tight in the two big wins over Spurs and Liverpool. Keeping Jones, in particular, at center back should prove beneficial for a United side which loves to attack. A versatile player who could play in central midfield, Jones can help direct the offense should the midfielders decide to push forward on the attack.
Manchester United are 12-2-1 in league matches at Old Trafford this season.
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Betting on Aston Villa
Aston Villa had looked like their goal-scoring was well underway. They beat Sunderland 4-0 on March 14, and outscored West Brom 4-1 in back-to-back matches (one in the Premier League, the other in the FA Cup Quarterfinal). But Villa disappointed yet again, falling to Swansea 1-0 courtesy of a Bafetimbi Gomis 86th minute goal on Saturday. It was their fourth loss in their last six matches.
But expect Aston Villa to find the back of the net against Manchester United, which have allowed at least a goal in nine of their 15 matches at Old Trafford. The pairing of Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor at the front has been excellent. The two have split six of Aston Villa’s last eight goals across all competitions.
Should Manchester United leave themselves exposed to a counterattack, expect the likes of Scott Sinclair and Fabian Delph to blitz through the open field for a precious opportunity at goal. Sinclair has three goals across all competitions in his last six appearances, while Delph showed excellent form in netting a goal against West Brom at the FA Cup on March 7.
