Man Utd v Aston Villa

Manchester United vs Aston Villa Preview

Manchester United were dealt a third league defeat in five games on Saturday lunchtime when they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the nation's capital away from home at West Ham at the London Stadium while Aston Villa had to make do with a point when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by a spirited Sheffield United outfit last Friday night.

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag's position at the helm of United now looks in an increasingly fragile state following recent disappointing losses to Newcastle United, Bournemouth and West Ham respectively and although the Red Devils captured a 2-1 home win against Chelsea and picked up a creditable point in a 0-0 draw away from home at Liverpool, United now find themselves in eighth place in the Premier League table and six points adrift of local rivals, Manchester City.

Uncharacteristically, Manchester United have also suffered four defeats already this season on home soil at Old Trafford but the hosts have just about outweighed these losses by recording five wins to date this term with victories against Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Luton Town and Chelsea, so this will at least give ten Hag and his side reason to be upbeat about their chances for this Boxing Day clash.

Despite failing to make the most of home advantage against Premier League strugglers, Sheffield United in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park, this result nevertheless extended Villa's unbeaten run in the top flight to an impressive seven games which consists of five wins and two draws.

Recent wins against Fulham, Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal and Brentford have helped thrust Aston Villa up into third place and early contention for a possible Champions League spot as Unai Emery's side are building some impressive momentum right now.

Indeed, just one defeat from their last 14 league matches underlines what a fantastic job Unai Emery has done at the west midlands club this season as he has transformed the visitors from being involved in a relegation battle, to competing for a European spot, to now being part of a conversation for a possible league title.

There's still a long way to go of course and Villa do need to further improve upon an inconsistent looking record away from home so far this season which has brought about four wins, two draws but also three defeats and this could play a part in determining the outcome of this upcoming clash at Old Trafford.

Manchester United v Aston Villa Verdict

Manchester United have held the upper hand in recent exchanges at Old Trafford though against Aston Villa as the hosts are unbeaten in the last four meetings and having won three of these four encounters, United may prevail once again in this Boxing Day clash.

Therefore, our main bet will be Manchester Utd win @ 2.62

Other side bets worth considering:

Manchester Utd win & Under 2.5 goals @ 7.00

Correct Score: Manchester Utd 1-0 @ 13.00