Premier League: Villa’s Top Four Place is Under Threat

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Fourth plays sixth in a Midlands maul on Sunday when all eyes will be on Aston Villa vs Manchester United for the Premier League match of the weekend.  

Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils are chasing down a Champions League place, but they remain eight points adrift of the Villains, who occupy the coveted fourth place. United fans will keep the faith, and there are signs that their team is getting things right, while Villa are starting to look over their shoulders.

Unai Emery’s men had a storming 2023 in the second half of last season and the first half of this, but their form is patchy, and the imminent threat comes from fifth-placed Spurs, who are just two points behind, and a win over Brighton on Saturday would see the Whites jump into fourth place.    

In the race for Europe, the Red Devils faced West Ham United last week and passed with flying colours, winning 3-0, while Aston Villa had a thumping 5-0 victory away to Sheffield United.

But Emery’s Villains then lost in an FA Cup date with Chelsea on Wednesday and have just three days to recover.

The pre-match Premier League 2024 betting odds say that we have a cracker in store, so we can’t wait.

Talking Points

Torres in contention for Villa

One of Villa’s standout players this season has been centre-back Pau Torres, who has dominated at the back while the team’s creative players torment opposition defences.

Torres picked up an ankle injury during a clash with Brentford in mid-December and, while he played in a 3-2 win over Burnley, he is yet to appear in 2024.

But the Spaniard made the bench for the cup clash with Chelsea, and I’m sure Emery will want to get him in the starting XI the minute he is 100-per cent fit.

The Villa boss said that this week will be crucial to his team’s hopes for the campaign and, after losing to the Blues, the attention is back on the league. He has no shortage of firepower and Ollie Watkins, with 11 goals and 10 assists, will lead the line, and Emery has been delighted too by the recent form of Leon Bailey. The wide-man has become more clinical and has now racked up seven goals and six assists.

Mainoo and Garnacho are the future

The last 10 years have been largely forgettable for Manchester United fans, but there are some green shoots appearing at the club, and the arrival of INEOS chief Jim Ratcliffe on the board had already stirred things up a little.

He’s already talking about a new stadium. Meanwhile, on the pitch, there have been some moments to get the fans off their seats, and that is a welcome development at Old Trafford. And two young stars have been in scintillating form and will hope to make an impact against Aston Villa on Sunday.

United fans, my SBOTOP mate James included, are getting excited about their latest local boy to take centre stage. 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo hails from Stockport, and he has burst onto the scene this season, having signed last year from local club Cheadle and Gatley.

Mainoo has incredibly quick feet, great vision, and a penchant for the spectacular as he showed when he scored a last gasp screamer to win a seven-goal thriller against Wolves last week.

Then, at the weekend, it was 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho who wrote the headlines with a well-taken brace against West Ham to make it five goals and two assists this season.

And let’s not forget the 21-year-old Rasmus Hojlund, who is starting to find his feet at United, scoring four goals in the last four Premier League games.   

Things are starting to look good up front, but the loss of central defender Lisandro Martinez is a huge blow to the Red Devils, and that will give Villa some positive Premier League 2024 news.   

History

In preparation for this game, I had to take a second look at the head-to-heads between these two teams because the Red Devils have slaughtered the Villains over the past three decades, winning 45 of the 63 meetings, while Aston Villa have won just five.

But the relationship has not been so one-sided in recent years. While Manchester United have won the last three meetings, the three before yielded a win for Villa and two draws.

Recent form favours ten Hag’s team who have won four, drawn one, and lost one of the last six, while Villa have won two, drawn two, and lost two of the last six.  

But Villa’s home record is very strong with nine wins, one draw, and one defeat, and their passionate fans will give the visitors a hostile reception to try and roar their tam over the line.

Betting Tip

Villa are favourites at 2.11 to win this game with the Red Devils at 2.84. I can see a case for both sides, and I think we’re in for a ding-dong battle where both teams may well have to settle for a single point, and that won’t suit either. 

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.