Game Week 6 Predictions: United to limp past Villa at Old Trafford

  No Jack Grealish, no problem? Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford to negotiate Manchester United in an early kick off game. (Photo credit: ...

 

No Jack Grealish, no problem? Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford to negotiate Manchester United in an early kick off game. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

Old Trafford

12:30pm

Quite strange that the league management board in the premier league opted to have this game right at the same time Chelsea would be hosting the Cityzens but Manchester United know exactly how important this fixture is and they will try to bounce back from the shock loss to Westham in midweek.

Incidentally, United’s opponents of the day also lost out in the Carabao Cup via penalties to arguably the most organized side in the league, Chelsea and despite fielding some youngsters, they proved themselves and were only dumped out from six yards out after 1-1 in regulation time.

Aston Villa had fun last weekend in the premier league, they rammed three past Everton without replies, they were immaculate and assured in possession, they waited for an opportunity and when it came, they didn’t let it slip.

Manchester United left it late last time out in the premier league, last gasp actions at both end of the pitch saw the Red Devils score late through substitute Jesse Lingard and then with probably the last action of the game, David De Gea saved from Mark Noble’s penalty, a rarity of note.

Two sides with needs for results, Villa aren’t up there in the league like they started last season but they aren’t doing badly for a side that lost their talisman Jack Grealish and a win here will shoot them just three points behind United, that’s something.

United have a date in Europe by midweek, they will be home to Villareal on Wednesday and it’s a must win after a shock loss in Switzerland against Young Boys, this game against Villa will prepare them for the midweek battle.

How will they line up? United will recall Cristiano Ronaldo upfront and the rest of the expected eleven will be on stage as well depending on fitness and tactics, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has been under fire especially from former United players and he won’t feed them more negative results to leverage.

Villa will keep almost the same shape that beat Everton, they lost Leon Bailey to injury on the day, quite a shame but their squad depth should handle that effectively.

One of those fixtures that Cristiano Ronaldo love to shine in, dude has a decent record against Dean Smith’s side and he’s not about to atop now, you might want to expect him to score a goal or two but overall, it won’t be a very easy afternoon for United.

 

Verdict: Both teams to score