Sunday’s Premier League action centres on Villa Park, where an in-form Aston Villa host Manchester United in the day’s standalone fixture.
Unai Emery’s side continue to build momentum after an outstanding run of results that has firmly established them among the title contenders, while United arrive looking for greater consistency following another eventful outing last time out. With Villa Park proving a difficult venue for visiting teams and United showing resilience on their travels, this clash shapes up as a compelling test for both sides. Here are my thoughts on the match, along with a bet worth considering.
Before we turn to Monday’s standalone clash, here’s a quick look at the Premier League title race heading into the weekend, Arsenal remain clear favourites at 3/4, with Manchester City close behind at 8/5. Liverpool follow at 25/1, while Aston Villa have forged their way into contention at 28/1. Beyond them, the rest of the field is priced at 33/1 or longer.
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ASTON VILLA v MANCHESTER UNITED – Click here to bet
We make our way to Villa Park on Sunday evening for the standalone fixture of the day, as an in-form Aston Villa side welcome Manchester United to Birmingham. Unai Emery’s men have been nothing short of outstanding this season and have firmly established themselves as genuine title contenders. The Villans arrive having won nine consecutive matches in all competitions, including their last six league outings, with last weekend’s dramatic 3–2 win away to West Ham further underlining their momentum.
That victory leaves Villa third in the table with 33 points from 16 matches (W10 D3 L3), just three points off league leaders Arsenal. The progress under Emery has been remarkable as at the same stage last season, Villa were eight points worse off, highlighting just how far they have come in a relatively short space of time.
Villa Park has been a fortress. Aston Villa have taken 19 points from a possible 24 at home this season and are currently on a nine-game winning run at home across all competitions, including six straight league victories. Their most recent home success was arguably their most impressive yet, as they handed Arsenal only their second league defeat of the campaign with a deserved 2–1 win. Earlier in the season, Villa also toppled Manchester City on this ground, meaning both teams above them have already been beaten in Birmingham. Overall, they have scored 13 goals at home while conceding just six, numbers that reflect both confidence and control.
Manchester United arrive in the Midlands looking for a response after a chaotic 4–4 draw at home to Bournemouth on Monday night. While the spectacle suited the neutral, United will feel they let that one slip, having led twice before defensive lapses once again proved costly. It has been a frustrating campaign in that sense, moments of promise undermined by lapses in concentration, leaving Ruben Amorim’s side with plenty of “what ifs” at this stage of the season.
Despite those frustrations, United remain well placed in the bigger picture. They sit sixth in the table with 26 points from 16 matches (W7 D5 L4), just two points off the top four and separated by the finest of margins in a tightly packed league.
Away from home, United have been quietly impressive in the league. They have picked up 12 points from eight league trips, losing just twice, and are currently unbeaten in their last five league away matches (W3 D2). Recent back-to-back victories on the road, including an emphatic 4–1 win at Wolves and a 2–1 success at Crystal Palace, suggest United will travel with confidence, even if questions remain defensively.
Head-to-Head
Manchester United have held the upper hand in recent meetings, going unbeaten in their last six encounters with Aston Villa in all competitions (W5 D1). Last season’s league meetings saw a goalless draw at Villa Park followed by a 2–0 United win at Old Trafford.
Betting
Aston Villa 23/20
Draw 53/20
Manchester United 9/4
Verdict
Villa Park has become a difficult place to visit and Emery’s side have already shown they can shut down top opposition on home soil. United’s away record commands respect, but their attacking output may be more limited here against a well-organised Villa side. With that in mind, I’m siding with Aston Villa to win or draw, with Manchester United kept to one goal or fewer.
Suggested Bet: Bet Builder – Aston Villa win or Draw (Double Chance) & Manchester United Under 1.5 Goals at 39/50
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
