Aston Villa vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Scott McTominay scores dramatic late winner

Super-sub Scott McTominay scored a late winner as Manchester United continued to inch up the Premier League table with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

Erik ten Hag’s United are sixth on 41 points after their third consecutive victory, five points behind fifth-placed Villa who would have climbed to fourth spot with a win.

Rasmus Hojlund scored his fifth goal in five games to put United ahead in the 17th minute, knocking in Harry Maguire’s header from close range through keeper Emi Martinez’s legs.

United keeper Andre Onana produced several huge saves to keep Villa off the scoresheet until Douglas Luiz levelled in the 67th minute. But Scotland’s McTominay came on in the 73rd minute to score the winner in the 86th, leaping to head a superb cross from Diogo Dalot past Martinez.

Relive all the action from Aston Villa vs Manchester United below:

Aston Villa vs Manchester United LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• REPORT: Scott McTominay delivers another crucial victory for Manchester United’s maligned heroes

• FT: United secure dramatic late win to reignite top four hopes

• 87’ GOAL! Scott McTominay comes off the bench to score header (AVL 1-2 MUN)

• 67’ GOAL! Douglas Luiz nets equaliser for Villa (AVL 1-1 MUN)

• 17’ GOAL! Rasmus Hojlund opens scoring with simple tap in (AVL 0-1 MUN)

Aston Villa FC 1 - 2 Manchester United FC

Scott McTominay delivers another crucial victory for Manchester United’s maligned heroes

18:56 , Mike Jones

If the return of the Champions League on Tuesday offers Manchester United an unwelcome reminder of what they have lost, their exile from the European elite may be briefer than was feared. Cast ignominiously out of continental competition two months ago, their domestic form suggested they would not be making an immediate form.

But perhaps they might. From what seemed the wreckage of a wretched season, Erik ten Hag’s team are on a charge towards the Champions League places.

Their longest winning run of the campaign brought their best result; a second late winner against Aston Villa in seven weeks meant the gap between them, which could have swelled to 11 points, has instead been sliced to five. Lose and United’s hopes of overhauling Unai Emery’s team would have been unrealistic at best. Victory gave them the momentum while Villa have three straight home defeats.

Scott McTominay delivers crucial victory for Manchester United’s maligned heroes

Coming up next

19:15 , Ben Fleming

Aston Villa will look to get back to winning ways next weekend as they travel to London to take on Fulham. United, meanwhile, will look to make it four Premier League wins on the spin as they take on Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

That’s all for today, though - catch you next time!

Unai Emery speaking to Sky Sports

19:11 , Ben Fleming

“We did everything we planned. We controlled the game and we avoided the transitions and we didn’t concede a lot of chances. We created chances but we couldn’t score some clear chances. I am very proud of our work and of the players.

“We are playing against the mighty Manchester United but we are being more consistent in matches in the league. The result is tough for us and difficult to accept but that is football. We played like we planned and we deserved more.

“We created chances and sometimes we are being clinical and sometimes we aren’t, like today. But these are the ideas that we wanted. We created through our identity and our style. Sometimes we will be clinical and sometimes we won’t be. We wanted to have control of the game and avoid transitions. That was the first idea we had and we did.”

More from McGinn

19:08 , Ben Fleming

“We’ve got to remember how far we’ve come as a team and a club. It’s my job to make sure we stick together. We’ve come a long way. We’re still in a great position to achieve something special. If we play like that today we’ll win more games than we lose.

“I could feel us winning it [in the second half]. We had chances on the break, they were breaking but not creating chances. They had moments of quality, we were getting into great positions. We stuck to the game plan.

“Our supporters were getting a bit frustrated, but I think they wanted us to be up and at them. I think on another day we win this this game. We’re at a big club, the fans are expecting. We are expecting that. It’s my job to keep the team together.

“We don’t want to blame everyone. These things happen in a season. We’ve had huge injuries throughout the season, it’s gone under the radar and the manager doesn’t make excuses. We can still achieve something special this season and today was a massive step towards that.”

John McGinn speaking to Sky Sports

19:06 , Ben Fleming

“It’s a real sickener. I think we did more than enough to win the game - it felt like we had chance after chance in that second half but it just didn’t go in. A couple fell to Douglas Luiz’s left foot but if they fall to his right foot, we are winning that game 2-1 or 3-1.

“But in this league, you have world-class players and just one moment of sheer quality is all you need. Maybe we could have defended it better but it’s a tremendous cross and big Scottie is great at coming in and timing his runs. It’s a great header and a sucker punch for us.”

Sticky patch at Villa Park

19:05 , Ben Fleming

Having only lost three of their opening 18 Premier League games of this season (W12 D3), Aston Villa have since lost three of their last six (W2 D1), including both of their last two at Villa Park.

Let’s get some reaction from the home camp...

More from Ten Hag

19:01 , Ben Fleming

On Luke Shaw, who was taken off at half-time: “[It was a] precaution. He had some complaints and we can’t take any risks with him because he’s had any injuries in the past. We’ll have to see how it goes in the next few days.

“It’s not an advantage to lose him, everyone knows my philosophy to have left-footers at left centre-back and left-back. We have to make compromises and it is not to our advantage.”

Ten Hag speaking to Sky Sports

18:59 , Ben Fleming

“It is a massive win for us. We’ve got closer and that was the aim for today. That was absolutely our target and we’ve done it. The way we did it, I liked it. I especially liked the first 20 minutes when we controlled the game. At 1-1 we had to fight back and we are really happy.

“At 1-1, you always have to see how the game progresses and I think it was really high intensity and you could see how many players were fatigued by the end. It was so open and it could go two ways but we found the mentality and character to win the game. The subs also had an impact.

On McTominay: “Scott is great. He can score many goals. He’s always coming into positions to score goals. We had problems - it was too much like a tennis match - we had problems in the counter-attack. We knew Scott would get into the box and can score goals.”

Record-breaking Rasmus

18:54 , Ben Fleming

Another goal for Rasmus Hojlund who becomes the second-youngest player to score in five successive Premier League appearances, trailing only Nicolas Anelka for Arsenal in November 1998 (19y 239d).

More from Maguire

18:53 , Ben Fleming

On the game’s set-pieces: “I don’t think either team did the best defending them and both teams were aggressive attacking them. I got a couple of first contacts in the first half - I wasn’t sure if Rasmus [Hojlund] was offside [for the first goal] but it must have been tight.

“They got the equaliser with a set play too. It’s a huge part of football and they decide big matches nowadays. Quite frankly, over the last couple of years, this club has not been good enough at attacking and defending them so we need to improve that. If we do, we’ll climb up the table.”

Harry Maguire speaking to Sky Sports

18:49 , Ben Fleming

“I think we started well, scored to deservedly lead and then the tempo of our pressing dropped off and we weren’t aggressive enough. We allowed them back in and we conceded from a set-play which really disappointing at a place like this.

“Great spirit and fight to come back and Scott [McTominay] is the match-winner again. It’s an amazing feeling but we’d like to make it a little more easy for ourselves.

“Scott has come on in numerous games this year and made the difference for us. We had to dig deep in the second half think we did in the end and deserved the win.”

McTominay speaking to Sky Sports

18:43 , Ben Fleming

“We started really well, but they are a really good team and came back into it and caused us problems. The guys at the back were immense, particularly Harry [Maguire] and Raphael [Varane]. It was a top-level performance and a deserved win in the end.

“Every game you win is massive for taking a step forward and confidence for the boys. It is all positive but it is about repeating it and not getting too far ahead of ourselves when we win a few. We’ve got to repeat it now.”

On starting from the bench: “I feel like as long as I’m fit and healthy I can come onto the pitch and perform. I don’t take it personally, I just want to come in and try and do the best I can for this. Long may it continue.”

On the goal: “It was an unbelievable cross to be fair, whipped with a lot of pace. I just needed it to hit my head and get it on target. Full credit to the boys, we created a lot of good chances which may go unnoticed.”

Super-sub Scottie

18:41 , Ben Fleming

That’s goal number seven for Scott McTominay in the League goals this season, the most of any player for Manchester United. Four of those have been as a substitute, the joint-most by any player this season 2023-24 (level with João Pedro).

Let’s here from the game-winner now...

FULL-TIME: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

18:37 , Ben Fleming

Douglas Luiz’s goal levelled things up for the hosts but it was Scott McTominay who had the last laugh...

FULL-TIME: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

18:34 , Ben Fleming

What a dramatic ending at Villa Park.

FULL-TIME: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

18:29 , Ben Fleming

United hold on for a vital three points!

It’s McTominay’s late header that has earned Ten Hag’s side a huge three points away against Villa. Their superb record away against Villa Par continues and it’s a win that must surely reignite their hopes of a top-four finish.

They now sit just five points behind Villa in fifth and six off Tottenham in fourth.

Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

18:27 , Ben Fleming

90+5 mins: Evans clears a cross only as far as Ramsey but the Villa midfielder’s strike is blocked well by the United defence.

Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

18:24 , Ben Fleming

90+2 mins: A double change from United late on as they look to run down the clock. Mainoo and Hojlund depart, with Amrabat and Evans coming on.

Cash strikes one with his left foot but Onana clings on at the near post.

Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

18:23 , Ben Fleming

90+1 mins: A roar erupts from the Villa fans as the fourth official puts up six minutes of added time.

Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

18:22 , Ben Fleming

90 mins: Watkins meets Digne’s cross but it’s a difficult header from quite far out and Onana claims it easily.

Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

18:20 , Ben Fleming

88 mins: Villa make a late double change after that goal as McGinn and Moreno make way for Zaniolo and Digne.

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United (McTominay 86 mins)

18:18 , Ben Fleming

United are back in front and it’s that man again!

McTominay meets Dalot’s teasing cross with a thumping header past Martinez and the Scottish midfielder has another priceless late goal off the bench for his side.

Can United hold on now for a huge three points?

Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United

18:14 , Ben Fleming

82 mins: Garnacho again is threatening as he drives forward with the ball but his final product lefts him down as he scuffs an effort into the tuff. Martinez collects gratefully.

Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United

18:11 , Ben Fleming

79 mins: Moreno tries to wriggle his way through the United defence to create a chance for Villa but Onana comes scuttling off his line to claim the ball.

United, though, lose the ball up the pitch and allow Villa to counter forward. McGinn slides Diaby through but the substitute makes the wrong decision and sees his curling effort drift out for a goal-kick.

Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United

18:09 , Ben Fleming

77 mins: Should Luiz do better there? Dalot scuffs his clearance out to the Brazillian but the Villa goalscorer makes a meal of his effort on goal and allows Onana to make a simple save.

Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United

18:08 , Ben Fleming

76 mins: Dalot’s cross finds Garnacho but his half-volley is blocked before Casemiro blazes over the bar.

Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United

18:05 , Ben Fleming

73 mins: A change apiece for both sides as Tielemans replaces Bailey for Villa, while McTominay comes on for Rashford for United.

Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United

18:05 , Ben Fleming

72 mins: Cute play from Ramsey to let the ball roll past him to Luiz on the edge of the box but Villa’s goalscorer takes one touch too many and sees his effort blocked.

Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United

18:03 , Ben Fleming

70 mins: United’s best chance of the second half as Garnacho drifts across from the left flank before curling an effort just wide of the right post.

Diaby is shown a yellow card for a foul on Fernandes in the build-up.

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United (Luiz, 67 mins)

17:59 , Ben Fleming

Villa equalise - that’s been coming!

From the corner, Lenglet almost pokes the ball home but it’s saved well by Onana at point-blank range. However, United fail to deal with the second phase and it’s Luiz who turns home Bailey’s low cross into the roof of the net.

We’re all set for a cracking finish here at Villa Park now...

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:58 , Ben Fleming

66 mins: Diaby is straight into the action as he surges into the box. His low cut-back - looking for Ramsey - is cleared, though, by a retreating Fernandes.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:57 , Ben Fleming

65 mins: Kamara does eventually make way but it’s an attacking change from Emery as Diaby comes on in his place.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:56 , Ben Fleming

63 mins: Garnacho gets into a good position down the right flank but the United forward is offside and the play breaks down. Up the pitch, Kamara has stayed down and may well require treatment.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:52 , Ben Fleming

60 mins: Almost an inch-perfect counterattack from Villa. From a United corner, Bailey leads the charge, surging up the pitch with supreme close control.

Ramsey offers support but the Villa midfielder can’t bring the ball under control and it bobbles through to Onana. Very close for the hosts.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:51 , Ben Fleming

58 mins: Some wonderful dribbling from Rashford down the left floors Cash but the United forward’s ball into the box is subsequently blocked and cleared away.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:47 , Ben Fleming

55 mins: Forward Villa come again as Watkins wins a corner for his side. McGinn whips the delivery to the far post but it goes out for another corner.

More Villa complaints towards the ref as Lindelof appeared to have quite a handle on Carlos at the back post. Nothing given...

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:43 , Ben Fleming

51 mins: Garnacho and Dalot combine well down the right before the former sees a cross deflected behind for a corner.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:42 , Ben Fleming

50 mins: Garnacho surges through on goal but gets himself in a muddle as he tries to cut inside past Lenglet. It wouldn’t have counted, regardless, as the Argentine was offside.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:41 , Ben Fleming

48 mins: CHANCE! A huge chance for Watkins to level but it’s straight at Onana. Lindelof gives the ball way down the left and Cash picks up the ball, driving well down the line before firing a low ball into the box.

Watkins catches it sweetly but his effort strikes Onana who is fortunate to just be in the right place at the right time. He didn’t know much about it but it’s a big save from the United keeper.

KICK-OFF! Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:38 , Ben Fleming

46 mins: A switch at half-time as Lindelof replaces Shaw. No news as to whether that was enforced or tactical, but one would assume the former.

With that done, we are back underway for the second half.

An enviable record for the Red Devils

17:31 , Ben Fleming

Villa have quite a task on their hand if they are to complete a second-half turnaround.

That’s because Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 141 English Premier League matches when leading at half-time (W121, D20) dating back to 21st September 2014 against Leicester City when they lost 5-3.

HALF-TIME: Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:27 , Ben Fleming

Hojlund got his first Premier League goal against Aston Villa on Boxing Day and netted again to give United the lead here today:

17:25 , Ben Fleming

Finely poised at the break.

HALF-TIME: Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:23 , Ben Fleming

McGinn squirms a late chance well wide as the referee brings a close to the first half, here at Villa Park.

It’s Hojlund’s fifth goal in as many games that has given United a slender one-goal lead at the break. It’s all set up for an intriguing 45 minutes after the break.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:21 , Ben Fleming

45+4 mins: A blatant foul from Mainoo to stop McGinn’s counterattack results in a yellow for the United midfielder. Lenglet also goes into the book, seemingly for something he said to the referee.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:18 , Ben Fleming

45+2 mins: Moreno goes down inside the box after a tangle with Dalot but the referee is unmoved and awards a goal-kick.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:17 , Ben Fleming

45 mins: An awful delivery from a free-kick by McGinn somehow ends up in a corner for Villa as Onana fumbles the ball behind. United, though, deal with the threat as we enter the first of four minutes of added time.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:13 , Ben Fleming

42 mins: Another corner late on for United in the second half but Maguire, again the target, commits a foul as the cross comes in and gives away a free-kick.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:12 , Ben Fleming

37 mins: Casemiro is shown the game’s first yellow card for a bad foul on Cash.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:06 , Ben Fleming

35 mins: Ramsey picks up the ball again in a good position in the left half-space. He tries his luck with a shot but it’s blocked by a sea of white shirts inside the box.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:06 , Ben Fleming

34 mins: Robert Jones is clearly keen to let this game flow. Both sides feel they should have had free-kicks in good positions but both times the referee waves away the protests.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

17:01 , Ben Fleming

31 mins: Ramsey nearly sneaks past the United defence again but it’s a good sliding interception from Dalot to prevent the ball from reaching the Villa midfielder.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

16:59 , Ben Fleming

27 mins: WIDE! Villa are enjoying a great spell of possession as they create another great chance to equalise. It’s Ramsey, this time, who surges into the box but his right-footed effort squirms past the right post with Onana well beaten.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

16:56 , Ben Fleming

25 mins: Another good stop from Onana moments later as he rushes off his line to smother Watkins’ low effort.

Villa cut the United defence right open there.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

16:55 , Ben Fleming

24 mins: Onana storms off his line but fails to properly clear the ball away. He makes his way back onto his line just in time to produce a great save to deny McGinn’s fiercely-struck effort from the edge of the box.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

16:52 , Ben Fleming

21 mins: Ramsey picks up the ball a long way from goal but tries his luck. His effort, though, ends up high and in the stands behind the goal.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United

16:51 , Ben Fleming

19 mins: Villa on the front foot straight after conceding but Garnacho does well tracking back to turn Moreno’s cross behind for a corner which Varane heads clear.

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United (Hojlund, 17 mins)

16:48 , Ben Fleming

United take the lead and Hojlund has another!

Five in five, now, in all competitions for the United striker as he taps home from the corner.

Maguire has had the total beating of Kamara from set-pieces in the early stages and he rises highest again, nodding the ball down to Hojlund who finishes past Martinez.

A great start for Ten Hag’s side is rewarded with the game’s opening goal.

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

16:47 , Ben Fleming

16 mins: Shaw swings in a deep free-kick from the left but Varane’s initial effort is deflected behind for a corner.

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

16:44 , Ben Fleming

13 mins: Garnacho dances in off the right flank but his eventual effort drifts wide of the left post.

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

16:44 , Ben Fleming

12 mins: Sloppy from Villa who gift the ball away on the edge of their own box. Hojlund receives the ball in a great position but it’s a great recovery block from Carlos to deflect his effort wide.

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

16:42 , Ben Fleming

11 mins: Rashford gets down the left well but his floated cross is headed out for a corner by the retreating Ramsey. Fernandes swings in the corner but Maguire’s looping header goes over the bar.

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

16:40 , Ben Fleming

9 mins: The first sign of United’s threat on the break as Rashford surges forward.

He slides through Garnacho but Carlos makes the vital interception, with Hojlund waiting expectantly behind him.

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

16:38 , Ben Fleming

7 mins: Maguire is starting on the left of the central defence for United today, a position he hasn’t always played under Erik ten Hag. Let’s see how he gets on...

Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

16:35 , Ben Fleming

4 mins: Villa starting the game on the front foot, looking to use the full width of the pitch with Moreno and Cash bombing forward down both respective flanks.

KICK-OFF! Aston Villa 0-0 Manchester United

16:31 , Ben Fleming

And we are underway here at Villa Park as United kick off.

Kick-off fast approaching

16:23 , Ben Fleming

Just over five minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is building nicely inside Villa Park - what has this clash got in store for us today?

Let’s find out...

(Not so) February Blues

16:18 , Ben Fleming

Erik ten Hag’s side kicked off their February in style with a dramatic 4-3 win over Wolves followed up by a convincing 3-0 win against West Ham.

In fact, United are unbeaten in their last 24 Premier League matches in February (W15 D9) since losing 1-0 to Newcastle United in 2018 under Jose Mourinho.

Can they keep that run going today?

Villa hoping to roll back the years

16:13 , Ben Fleming

Emery’s first game in charge last season was this exact fixture, with the Spaniard inspiring his team to a superb 3-1 victory against United to end a 23-game winless run in the Premier League against the Red Devils at Villa Park.

A win here today would make it consecutive home league games against United for the first time since between 1966 and 1977 when they won five in a row.

Last time these two sides met

16:06 , Ben Fleming

It was a Boxing Day classic the last time these two sides met as Man United came from behind to beat Villa 3-2 at home. Rasmus Hojlund netted his first Premier League goal to complete the turnaround and has been in fine form since that day.

Can the young Dane notch up another today?

Emery - ‘This is a special, key match’

15:59 , Ben Fleming

The Spaniard will be looking for a response from his players after two defeats in their last three games but he is also keen to see the fans play their part in helping his team get a vital win against top-four rivals.

“It is a new challenge, a new challenge for us and for our supporters. We all have to use our positive energy - each individual fan has to support us with their energy,” he said ahead of the match.

“We have to connect with them being demanding and successful, being demanding on the pitch.

“It is going to be a difficult match because they need to get points against us. They are facing us trying to get to us in the table, being closer to us.

“We are thinking of course there is 38 matches, but this match is for six points. This is a special, key match. We want to create a great atmosphere with our supporters.”

Ten Hag full of praise for Emery

15:52 , Ben Fleming

Unai Emery has earned huge plaudits for the work he has done to elevate Villa into a team challenging for the Champions League and United will almost certainly need to overhaul them if they are to finish in the top four.

Ten Hag is an admirer of Emery, saying at his pre-match press conference: “I think it is very good how he developed this team and it’s very clear how they want to play, in and out of possession.

“I think the players know exactly what they have to do, their jobs and how they have to cooperate with each other. They are really a team, they absolutely have weapons in their team, so we have to play our maximum levels to get the right result.”

Ollie Watkins keen to pass Aston Villa’s Premier League goals record

15:45 , Ben Fleming

Ollie Watkins has targeted Aston Villa’s Premier League goals record after passing his half-century.

The striker became just the third Villa player to reach 50 goals in the Premier League after scoring against Newcastle last month.

Only Dwight Yorke (60) and Gabby Agbonlahor (74) have scored more for Villa and – ahead of Sunday’s visit of Manchester United – Watkins, with 59 goals overall, wants to chase them down.

“When I signed my new contract, that was one of my main goals – to break that, to win something with the club, to push on and try to achieve something,” said the England striker, who has 51 top-flight goals after scoring in the 5-0 win at Sheffield United last week.

“I feel like I’m improving as a player under this manager and with this team.

Read more of the Englishman’s thoughts below:

Ollie Watkins keen to pass Aston Villa’s Premier League goals record

Aston Villa vs Man Utd line-ups

15:31 , Mike Jones

Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Lenglet, Carlos, Moreno; Luiz, Kamara, McGinn; Ramsey, Bailey, Watkins

Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

Team news coming shortly

15:28 , Ben Fleming

We’re expecting team news any minute now - are we in for any surprises?

Aston Villa vs Manchester United betting tips

15:23 , Ben Fleming

Aston Villa welcome Manchester United to Villa Park in the second Premier League game on Sunday (4.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event).

Unai Emery’s side are fourth in the table as they eye a place in next season’s edition of the Champions League. They endured the disappointment of crashing out of the FA Cup in midweek, but now turn their attention back to the top flight.

A win for the visitors this weekend would move United to within five points of Villa, which would be a massive boost for Erik ten Hag’s men as they aim to keep their Champions League hopes alive for the stretch run.

Here are our predictions using the best Premier League odds.

Aston Villa vs Manchester United predictions: Premier League betting tips, odds and free bets

Villa looking to bounce back

15:14 , Ben Fleming

Aston Villa, meanwhile, failed to back up their thumping 5-0 win against Sheffield United last time out against Chelsea in their FA Cup replay at Villa Park.

It was a performance that eased the pressure on Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino but one that also marked back-to-back home defeats for Unai Emery’s men following their 3-1 loss against Newcastle at the end of January.

Chelsea ease pressure on Mauricio Pochettino with 3-1 win at Aston Villa

Last time out for United

15:04 , Ben Fleming

Sixth in the table, unbeaten in five games. These have not traditionally been the things Manchester United would boast about. They have achieved far more too often to mention. Now, however, this may represent the high point of a troubled campaign; perhaps, for the often beleaguered Erik ten Hag, the springboard that will rescue it.

Winning the battle for sixth, and dislodging West Ham, puts United in their joint best position of the season after their joint biggest victory of the campaign. Besides beating Aston Villa, they had not seen off anyone currently in the top nine, so West Ham ranks among their prize scalps. And if that five-game sequence includes FA Cup ties against lower-league Wigan and Newport and three matches when they have lost leads, they are at least undefeated in 2024 and acquiring some momentum.

Perhaps most encouragingly, United were propelled onwards by men who could be scoring for them well into the 2030s. This was their future against their past, with their former manager David Moyes overcome as Rasmus Hojlund scored on his 21st birthday and Alejandro Garnacho, still a teenager, delivered a double. A picture of three rookies – with Kobbie Mainoo the other – celebrating sat together on an advertising hoarding may prove the afternoon’s abiding image.

Can United build on their great win against West Ham last week?

Manchester United’s season reaches new high thanks to Alejandro Garnacho

How Manchester United could line up

14:57 , Ben Fleming

Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

Early Manchester United team news

14:53 , Ben Fleming

The visitors, meanwhile, will have Lisandro Martinez unavailable for eight weeks after the centre-back injured his knee against West Ham. The Argentine had just returned from another long-term foot injury but could still feature before the end of the season after it was confirmed he had not damaged his ACL as initially feared.

“It is a setback of course,” Ten Hag said on Thursday. “Licha was returning, you see his contribution to the team when he is playing, apart from the technical skills also the mentality.

“It is a big setback for Licha, he is very disappointed but he is a fighter. He will be back stronger and will play by the end of the season.”

Elsewhere, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial and Mason Mount are all out.

How Aston Villa could line up

14:46 , Ben Fleming

Predicted Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Torres, Carlos, Digne; Luiz, Kamara; Bailey, Tielemans, McGinn; Watkins

Early Aston Villa team news

14:42 , Ben Fleming

Aston Villa could welcome Pau Torres and Lucas Digne back into defence, but Unai Emery’s side suffered a blow this week when Ezri Konsa was ruled out for up to a month.

Konsa picked up the knee injury in Villa’s 5-0 win against Sheffield United and initial scans have confirmed a series injury.

“He has a knee sprain and is not going to be available. I don’t know, three or four weeks more or less,” Emery confirmed last week.

Torres and Digne, meanwhile, could come back into the side, with the Spanish coach saying the duo are still “recovering”.

Aston Villa vs Manchester United - all you need to know

14:35 , Ben Fleming

When is Aston Villa vs Manchester United?

The Premier League fixture will kick off at 4:30pm GMT on Sunday 11 February at Villa Park.

How can I watch Aston Villa vs Manchester United?

Aston Villa vs Manchester United will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting after the earlier game between West Ham and Arsenal. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Is Aston Villa vs Manchester United on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch

Good afternoon

12:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Aston Villa host Manchester United in the Premier League this afternoon in what is a key battle in the top-four race.

Unai Emery’s side have been one of the surprise packages of the season and sit eight points and two places above Erik ten Hag’s team, who lie in sixth.

However, United’s storming comeback against Villa in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, when the hosts came from two goals down at half-time to win 3-2, has impacted the momentum of both teams.

Villa have won just once in their last five and have been beaten at home two games in a row - against Newcastle and Chelsea in the FA Cup - while United come into this fixture on the back of consecutive Premier League wins against Wolves and West Ham.

United have not won three Premier League games in a row all season and this tricky trip to Villa Park could determine if they are able to close the gap to the top-four over the second half of the season.

Follow all the build-up and updates to Aston Villa vs Manchester United in today’s live blog