Game Week 34 Predictions: Villa to hurt United's top-four hopes?

Game Week 34 Predictions: Aston Villa to hurt Manchester United's top-four hopes? - Premier League Preview, Betting tips, Team News

The battle at Old Trafford will have an impact on champions league qualification, who will steal the headline? (Photo credit: Sporting News)

 Manchester United vs. Aston Villa

Old Trafford

2:00pm

Manchester United frustrated their manager and fans by extension with a poor second-half display that saw them lose their two-goal lead away at troubled Spurs.

Erik Ten Hag described Manchester United’s second-half performance as one without heart and unacceptable.

The Red Devils now sit fourth on the log, two points behind Newcastle but with a midweek date away at Brighton for a rescheduled league game.

Step forward Unai Emery, a top manager with instant impact in the league since joining from Villareal to replace Steven Gerrard.

No team has picked up as many points as Aston Villa this year, and that explains their position on the log.

Aston Villa was in the relegation zone when Emery joined, and the club is now fighting for a spot in Europe next season. What a transformation!

Aston Villa will be torn to shreds by the Carabao Cup winners on Sunday when they travel to the Theatre of Dreams.

The likes of Tyron Mings, Douglas Costa, Ollie Watkins, and Emi Buendia have found their rhythm and form under the new manager.

And they’re running riot with an unlikely charge for a top-six finish come the end of the season.

Manchester United must sit up here. 

Marcus Rashford continues to lead from the front, but the players around him need to contribute.

His effort against Spurs was undone by the weakness of Tyrel Malacia, who came on with fresh legs but did nothing close to what he must have been sent on to do.

Antony has been underwhelming, and a spark of brilliance once in 90 minutes doesn’t justify his hefty price tag.

Bruno Fernandes is doing his best, and you just hope every component of Ten Hag’s team comes to the party on Sunday.

Manchester United must win to avoid pressure from the likes of Villa in the top four. 

Brighton and Tottenham are right behind them, and Liverpool won’t turn down the ticket if offered on a platter. United must show their workings.

Aston Villa can stroll to Old Trafford and have fun; their manager will demand it from them, and if United leave room behind, Watkins will hurt them.

It will be enjoyable out there, especially for the neutrals and opposing fans of either side.

Verdict: Full-time draw