Manchester United vs Aston Villa LIVE: Tyrell Malacia and Marcel Sabitzer come into starting line-up for Erik ten Hag’s side, as they bid to stop red-hot visitors pushing for unlikely top-four spot
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Host commentator
United are putting on the pressure here.
This time Casemiro slips in through to Sabitzer and the Austrian’s shot goes over the bar.
Close again from Marcus Rashford. He finds himself with room inside the box but his shot is blocked by Emi Martinez
United once again try and get in behind Villa. Bruno Fernandes floats a ball towards the path of Cristian Eriksen on the edge of the area, but Ashley Young is there first and the Dane gives away a foul against the Villa defender.
Marcus Rashford is put through one-on-one by Sabitzer, but unusually for this season the England forward drags the shot wide of goal.
The battle down the left flank between Jadon Sancho and Ashley Young could be one to watch.
The former United man has managed to get the better of the England winger so far
United with plenty of the ball at Old Trafford, without any real danger yet.
Aston Villa – wearing their changed light blue strip – are already showing why they’ve been so hard to break down under Emery.
It’s evident early on that Malacia will move into midfield when United are on the attack.
Something we’ve seen this season from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis this season.
Here we go as United get us going…
The teams are out and we’re about to get underway…
Before we get into the action a reminder of the last time the two teams met, in Unai Emery’s first game as Aston Villa boss.
The Villain’s downed United thanks to goals from Leon Bailey, Lucas Digne and Jacob Ramsey as they beat the Red Devils at Villa Park for the first time since 1995.
There’s only 15 minutes to go, in a game that sees Ashley Young return to his former club.
15 minutes to go. ⏳ #MUNAVL pic.twitter.com/Q0xTvrCXDi
The Man United players are out and warming up ahead of today’s action…
Man United boss Erik ten Hag has put his team selection down to spreading the workload across his squad and some tactical tweaks.
He’s been explaining himself to the club’s official channel.
🗣 The boss gives an insight into his team selection for #MUNAVL…#MUFC || #PL
Looking ahead to next season, Man United’s main priority will be a new forward and they continue to be linked with Harry Kane.
The Tottenham forward may even let the last year of his contract run down in a bid to make it a less complicated move away from North London.
If Villa are to make a return to European competition, they have in their hands with games against a number of their rivals in their last remaining fixtures.
After today’s trip to Old Trafford, Unai Emery’s men face a trip to Wolves, before playing Spurs at home, Liverpool at Anfield and then host Brighton on the final day of the season.
It will give Villa a brilliant opportunity of securing at least a Europa Conference place this campaign.
There will be another watchful eye taking in today’s action at Old Trafford, with Sir Alex Ferguson seen arriving at the stadium to watch the game.
Morning, Sir Alex! ❤️#MUFC || #MUNAVL pic.twitter.com/YEi45EEPmq
Aston Villa’s incredible form has got fans dreaming of European football next season, and speaking in preparation for today’s game Unai Emery has made that a target.
Although he admits a Champions League place may be beyond his side.
‘The new target is Europe and, of course, that could be Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League.
‘Champions League is very very difficult – maybe impossible but we have to face the match on Sunday, enjoying the opportunity that we have.
‘We are fighting with teams like Tottenham, like Liverpool, who played the final of the Champions League [in 2022], and Brighton, who are having an exceptional season. We have to be very focused but I like to play under pressure and it’s not negative pressure.
‘Every day, I have in my mind to try to be aware. If we relax, we can lose. They [the players] have to play with the same focus and the same improvements.’
Watkins form hasn’t gone unnoticed and has today been linked with German giants Bayern Munich.
The England striker has scored 11 goals in his last 15 games for Villa and Bayern technical director Marco Neppe was reportedly at Villa Park on Tuesday to watch Watkins.
He’s one of the country’s most in-form strikers, and Ollie Watkins is in the house at Old Trafford.
OW11. 👍 #MUNAVL pic.twitter.com/ijr9Z9fejK
The latest stand from Red Devils supporters comes just days after the third and final round of bidding for the club concluded, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe leading the race ahead of a Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani.
United fans displayed banners outside Old Trafford before the game, with several seen marching with flares in protest against the Glazer family.
Real more here…
The Manchester United fans staged another protest before kick-off against the ownership of the club.
Organisers have called on fans to stay outside Old Trafford until 18 minutes into today’s game against Aston Villa as part of the protest.
United make two changes from the side who drew 2-2 against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night.
Tyrell Malacia and Marcel Sabitzer come into Erik Ten Hag’s team with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Antony dropping to the bench.
Skipper Harry Maguire isn’t fully fit but is on the bench.
While Villa remained unchanged for the forth game in a row.
While the host’s have named their starting XI…
🔴 U N I T E D 🔴#MUFC || #MUNAVL
Here’s how the visitors line-up…
Your Aston Villa today. 👊 #MUNAVL pic.twitter.com/rEcV4no8D2
Welcome to today’s Mail Sport’s live Premier League coverage, where we will be bringing you all the action as Man United take on Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
It’s European football that’s on the mind of both clubs, with Manchester United looking to pull away further from the chasing top four pack – which includes today’s visitors Aston Villa.
Villa, who beat the Red Devils back in September, will be looking for their first league double of United since the 1954-55 season, and go into the game on a ten-game unbeaten run.
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