Manchester United vs Aston Villa

Manchester United’s Premier League title charge continues this weekend, as they welcome an inconsistent Aston Villa side to Old Trafford.

Seeking their first Premier League title since 2012/13, Man United have been off to a flying start to this top-flight campaign, winning all but one of their inaugural five league fixtures (D1). Notably, since being held scoreless to cross-town rivals Manchester City in December 2020, the ‘Red Devils’ have troubled the scoresheet in their subsequent 15 Premier League matches at Old Trafford. What’s more, virtually unplayable in the attacking third, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side scored a resounding average of 2.93 goals per match during that 15-game run, though it’s worth noting they’ve failed to preserve a clean sheet in the last seven on the trot. Man United’s home Premier League action usually sparks into life beyond half-time, as nine (81.82%) of their 11 top-flight goals scored/conceded at Old Trafford this season have come in the second half of play (9/11).

In the meantime, Aston Villa utterly outclassed Everton last time out, claiming a comprehensive 3-0 home victory to bring a two-match winless Premier League streak to a halt (D1, L1). However, the ‘Lions’ have lost both top-flight fixtures away from home this season, falling behind by the 15th minute and moving on to concede precisely three FT goals on each occasion. Villa’s recent dip in form has seen them lose five of their last eight Premier League away games (W2, D1), as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 15 travels in the competition (W7, D4, L4). It will be a daunting prospect for the West Midlands outfit to improve their disappointing away form, as they take on a side they’ve defeated just once in their last 45 Premier League H2Hs (D11, L33).