Man Utd vs Aston Villa: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
By Tom Gott
Manchester United and Aston Villa get back to Premier League action on Saturday as the two sides clash at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men had a disappointing outing in midweek, exiting the League Cup after a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham. However, the Red Devils' Premier League form has been close to perfect in the early stages of the 2021/22 campaign, with four wins and a draw leaving United third in the table heading into the weekend.
Villa can also take great encouragement from their start to the league season. Dean Smith's side sit tenth and, despite a mixed bag of results, have played some good football to pick up seven points thus far - notably an impressive 3-0 victory over Everton in their last league outing. They, like United, however, will have to bounce back from a cup exit in midweek, after being knocked out of the League Cup via a penalty shootout by Chelsea.
Here's 90min's preview of the clash.
How to watch Man Utd vs Aston Villa on TV/live stream
When is kick off? 25 September 2021, 12:30 (BST)
Where is it being played? Old Trafford
TV channel? fuboTV (US)
Referee? Mike Dean
VAR? Andy Madley
Man Utd team news
United were without striker Edinson Cavani for the West Ham game and it is not yet clear whether he will recover from his knock in time to feature here.
There may even be an appearance for centre-back Phil Jones, who made his return to the matchday squad after over 18 months out through injury. He is still waiting for his first competitive minutes but has played twice for United's reserves in the past few weeks.
Aston Villa team news
Fans are awaiting updates on both winger Leon Bailey (quad) and midfielder John McGinn (concussion), who were both injured against Everton and played no part against Chelsea in midweek.
Against the Blues, Smith also lost midfielder Morgan Sanson, whose return to the team after nearly six months out was ended after just 45 minutes.
Elsewhere, defender Axel Tuanzebe is ineligible to feature against his parent club.
Man Utd vs Aston Villa predicted lineups
Man Utd: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba; Ronaldo.
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young; Luiz, McGinn; Traore, Buendia, El Ghazi; Ings.
Man Utd vs Aston Villa head-to-head record
The history books don't make for pretty reading for Villa fans, who have not seen their team win against United since December 2009.
United are on an 18-game unbeaten run against Villa, picking up 14 wins and four draws across the past 12 years. Last season brought a comfortable double, with Solskjaer's men picking up 2-1 and 3-1 victories.
Villa do have experience of winning at Old Trafford, however, with that 2009 meeting ending 1-0 courtesy of a first-half strike from Gabby Agbonlahor.
Man Utd vs Aston Villa score prediction
Villa are the underdogs in this one, although should go into the tie with their heads up, considering the promising displays they've put on in recent weeks. They thumped Everton and gave a good account of themselves against Chelsea and will hope to be steadying the ship after a bumpy few weeks.
However, United are in scintillating form when it comes to league matters. While they were knocked out of the League Cup this week, it should be noted that the lineup on Wednesday night was heavily rotated.
With the sheer quality and firepower contained in Solskjaer's preferred starting XI, United should expect to pick up another three points on Saturday.
Prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Aston Villa