Manchester United vs Aston Villa – Red Devils have the edge in New Year’s Old Trafford clash

31/12/2020 | Categories: Football betting | Published by: Andy Nelson

Updated: 4th December 2023

2020-21 English Premier League preview: Manchester United vs. Aston Villa – Old Trafford – Friday, 1st January 2021 – 20:00 hrs BST

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Preview

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Dean Smith's Aston Villa go to Old Trafford knowing well that a win on Friday night will take them to within a point of their 2nd placed forthcoming rivals. On the other hand, a victory for Manchester United will put them on equal points with League leaders Liverpool who lost valuable points in back-to-back draws against unfancied West Bromwich and Newcastle.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Match Winner Odds

Full Time Result
Manchester United 3/4	Draw 3/1	Aston Villa 16/5

The odds quoted as of 31/12/2020 and subject to change.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Predicted Correct Score Odds

Correct Score Odds
Manchester United 2:1 Aston Villa		17/2

The odds quoted as of 31/12/2020 and subject to change.

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While Ole Solksjaer's Red Devils have just come out of a scrappy 1-0 home win over the Wolves through a deflected goal from Marcus Rashford in injury time, Villa held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge to complete a run of 5 undefeated games.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Recent Form

Manchester United Premier League form: WDWWDW

Manchester United form (all competitions): DWWWDW

Aston Villa Premier League form: LWDWWD

As for United's team news, Anthony Martial is expected to recover in time for a start, taking the place of Edinson Cavani in attack with the latter coming in as substitute at some point of the game.

The United attack will obviously in the hands of the trio of Bruno Fernandes, Rashford and Martial with the likes of Fred and Mason Greenwood playing behind them. Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay should also make starts in place of Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.

Victor Lindelof who left the field against the Wolves with a back injury is likely to miss out Friday night's clash.

Villa defender Tyrone Mings will be returning from suspension, while one of two defenders Kortney Hause or Ezri Konsa could be benched.

Manchester United probable starting lineup:

De Gea (goal); Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

Aston Villa possible probable lineup:

Martinez (goal); Cash, Hause, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; El Ghazi, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Verdict

Despite both teams being stretched by a gruelling festive fixture, Friday night's New Year's fare at Old Trafford promises to be an entertaining affair with goals expected to come at both ends.

United are likely to dominate possession while Villa will look to hit them on the breaks what with attackers like Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins leading the charge. Having performed so brilliantly in the latter half against Chelsea, Villa will fancy their chances of taking more points off their rivals for a European place.

However, with the wealth of attacking talent Solskjaer has and the form his players are in going forward, the home side should have enough quality to best their plucky opponents.