An in-form Manchester United side would hope to begin 2021 on a convincing note as Dean Smith’s Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on Friday evening.
United’s recent outing in the Premier League turned out to be a 1-0 dramatic victory against Wolves, with Marcus Rashford finding the back of the net in stoppage time to seal a vital win for his side.
The victory at Old Trafford took Solskajer’s men to second in the league standings, just three points adrift of arch-rivals Liverpool FC, who could only secure a point from their travels to St. James’ Park on Wednesday.
And with a chance to go joint first in the Premier League table should they extend their winning run against Aston Villa, Manchester United supporters will be counting on their team to deliver a standout display when taking on an equally impressive opposition side.
Dean Smith’s men have been in tremendous form of late and on the back of a well-deserved point from their last encounter against Chelsea, should come into Friday’s game with buzzing confidence.
Aston Villa’s performance in the upcoming fixture largely rests upon talisman Jack Grealish’s impact on the pitch whilst playing for the London-based outfit as the English international remains one of the most influential attacking playmakers across top-flight football in the country.
🎥 We have a feeling you'll watch until the end 🍿
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🏆 #PL pic.twitter.com/hMI9OD2MPY— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 30, 2020
Seven wins in their last nine Premier League outings ought to hand Solskajer’s men a major confidence boost ahead of playing hosts to Villa on Friday, and the Red Devils No.1 David de Gea echoed similar sentiments in a recent interview, saying that United remain focused on winning every game possible.
An eye on the top spot in the league table is enough incentive for Manchester United to secure all three points from their upcoming showdown ahead of playing their Merseyside foes on January 17, a game which could very well decide the fate of this season’s potential champions.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date – 1 January Friday
Time – 6:30 PM BST
Venue – Old Trafford
TEAM NEWS
Victor Lindelof was absent for Manchester United’s narrow win over Wolves earlier this week and the Sweden international central defender is not expected to return to the first-team fold for the Villa fixture as well.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s inclusion in the starting eleven for United last time around eased fears of the English full-back being a potential long-term absentee for Solskjaer’s side.
No fresh injury concerns were raised for the Old Trafford giants post the Wolves clash and Solskjaer has his players fully fit for Aston Villa’s visit to Manchester.
RECENT FORM
Manchester United form: D-W-W-D-W
Aston Villa form: W-D-W-W-D
KEY BATTLE
Aaron Wan-Bissaka vs Jack Grealish
Grealish’s form of late makes the Englishman a potential threat for the United backline come Friday evening at Old Trafford and the attacker would be hoping for a remarkable display when lining up against his long-term suitors in the transfer market.
Wan-Bissaka’s return at right-back for the Red Devils came as a major boost to Ole Gunnar Solskajer and Co. owing to the lack of depth in the full-back positions at Old Trafford.
Both England internationals squaring up should provide for an exciting clash, one which could potentially decide the fate of the game’s result.
MATCH PREDICTION
Solskjaer’s men go in Friday’s home fixture with renewed confidence levels and an inspiring run of form, however, Dean Smith’s men have been clinical when dealing with top-six opponents, evident in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea, and especially the 7-2 demolition of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Bruno Fernandes and Co. look in red hot form but Villa’s recent form on the road could very well mean that 2021’s first visitors at Old Trafford could walk away with a point in a 1-1 draw.
