Aston Villa vs Manchester United LIVE!
It could all come down to this. After two-and-a-half eventful years in charge, two major trophies and no shortage of highs and extreme lows plus almost constant pressure, Erik ten Hag’s job may well be on the line at Villa Park this afternoon. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will reportedly be in attendance as the under-fire Dutch boss desperately strives for a result that could save his Old Trafford career, in the short-term at least.
Thursday’s chaotic Europa League draw in Porto did nothing to ease the significant scrutiny on Ten Hag’s position, which had become increasingly more intense after dismal 3-0 home defeats by Liverpool and Tottenham. He could not have asked for a much tougher game in which to try and prove that he is worthy of remaining in the role, with Villa flying high and soaring with confidence after dispatching Bayern Munich on a famous night in the Champions League in midweek thanks to another superstar turn from super-sub Jhon Duran.
Man Utd have captain Bruno Fernandes available after his successful red-card appeal and will hope that Kobbie Mainoo is fit, while Villa are sweating on the availability of the likes of Amadou Onana and Leon Bailey. Follow Aston Villa vs Manchester United live below!
Aston Villa vs Man United latest news
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Kick-off: 2pm BST | Villa Park
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How to watch: Sky Sports
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Aston Villa team: Barkley and Bailey start, Duran on bench
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Man United team: Maguire and Evans start
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Score prediction
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
15:10 , Jamie Dickenson
48 mins: Marcus Rashford hits another one at goal, but his effort is tipped over by Emi Martinez.
Garnacho then snatches at a shot from the edge of the box.
Back underway
15:08
We are back underway at Villa Park. Lindelof has filled in at right-back with De Ligt partnering Jonny Evans in central defence.
Lindelof hasn’t featured for United since March.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
15:05 , Jamie Dickenson
How long will Unai Emery wait until he brings on supersub Jhon Duran?
While Villa are yet to shuffle their pack, United have made two changes at half-time.
Victor Lindelof and Matthijs de Ligt have run out for United early ahead of the second half, with Harry Maguire and Mazroaui coming off.
HT: Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:53 , Jamie Dickenson
United have probably been the better side during the first half but there’s been a distinct lack of chances.
Rashford drew a save from Martinez early on and saw a penalty claim waived away by VAR while both Rogers and Philogene hit wide for Villa.
Hopefully goals come after the break.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:50 , Jamie Dickenson
45+3 mins: Villa play a dangerous free-kick into the box but United clear.
Harry Maguire is limping and looks set to be replaced by Matthijs de Ligt.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:48
45+1 mins: Hojlund is bundled over by Diego Carlos but the referee remains unmoved.
Then Watkins finds some space on the left flank but Villa can’t pick their way through the United defence.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:46 , Jamie Dickenson
43 mins: Tielemens’ free-kick sails into Onana’s hands in what has been a below-par first half from Aston Villa.
United haven’t been able to make any chances to capitalise on their good build-up play.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:42 , Jamie Dickenson
40 mins: Kobbie Mainoo becomes the third Manchester United player to be booked after a heavy challenge on Youri Tielemens.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:38 , Jamie Dickenson
36 mins: Villa created a promising attack, with Digne finding space to whip a cross in from the left-hand side but Bailey makes a mess of the finish.
Harry Maguire is then booked for an elbow on Ollie Watkins. His arm was a little high.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:36 , Jamie Dickenson
33 mins: Youri Tielemens avoids a card after bringing down Rasmus Hojlund.
United are having the better of things so far.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:31 , Jamie Dickenson
29 mins: Bailey tees up Barkley in the box, but the Villa midfielder can’t control the ball and fouls Jonny Evans after he makes the clearance.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:27 , Jamie Dickenson
25 mins: VAR checks to see whether Morgan Rogers handled the ball in the box after contesting a header with Maguire.
But they rightly wave it away as it was not intentional.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:23 , Jamie Dickenson
20 mins: Jaden Philogene hits one from range and has Andre Onana scrambling, but the shot drags wide of the post.
Philogene is a newcomer to this Villa side, making just his second start of the season after spending last season on loan at Hull.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:20 , Jamie Dickenson
18 mins: Erik ten Hag will be pleased with his side’s start this afternoon – they look up for the physical battle which hasn’t always been the case recently.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:16
15 mins: Some big challenges are going in here, with Harry Maguire winning the ball back for United and then Youri Tielemens clearing through Garnacho.
The game has some spice to it already and the crowd are up for the occasion.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:12
11 mins: Unai Emery is being forced into an early change, with Ezri Konsa down and getting treatment from the Villa physios.
He isn’t deemed fit enough to continue and Diego Carlos comes on to replace the defender.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:10
08 mins: Rogers gives United a scare by firing into the side netting after good build-up play from Villa.
It’s been a good start to the game for both teams.
Ratcliffe present
14:08 , Jamie Dickenson
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is among the United executives watching on at Villa Park today.
The Red Devils co-owner is sat with director Dave Brailsford and CEO Omar Berrada.
Supportive or ominous? You decide…
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:06 , Jamie Dickenson
05 mins: Marcus Rashford has United’s first chance of the game, winning the ball of Matty Cash and driving at the Villa defence.
Rashford cuts inside and shoots, but Martinez parries and the hosts clear the danger.
Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd
14:04 , Jamie Dickenson
03 mins: Villa start comfortably playing the ball around at the back and finding their feet.
Morgan Rogers wins a free-kick in a decent area with his first forward run, drawing a yellow card for Christian Eriksen.
KICK-OFF
14:02 , Jamie Dickenson
We are underway at a loud and boisterous Villa Park, with Villa in their maroon home kit and United wearing their white away kit.
Tunnel vision
13:58 , Jamie Dickenson
Both sets of players have come out of the tunnel at Villa Park to white smoke and fire pumping up the atmosphere.
The Villa players are sporting some fetching white hoodies, with United in black tops.
Squeaky bum time
13:53 , Jamie Dickenson
Erik ten Hag is projecting calmness personified but with less than 10 minutes to go until kick-off we can’t imagine all Man United fans are as relaxed.
The thought of Watkins, Rogers and Bailey going up against Maguire and Evans is a little daunting.
We will see…
First Prem start for Hojlund
13:50 , Jamie Dickenson
Rasmus Hojlund has been handed his first Premier League start of the season at Villa Park.
Hojlund found the net against Porto for the first time this campaign on Thursday, but has previous when it comes to scoring against Aston Villa.
Last season the Denmark international scored the winner is United’s 3-2 win over Villa at home and opened the scoring in their 2-1 away win.
Emery happy with strikers
13:44
Unai Emery is enjoying seeing Jhon Duran provide competition for Ollie Watkins.
Duran has six goals this season – two more than Watkins – but remains on the bench today.
“I think their response has been fantastic,” Emery told Sky Sports. “Ollie is adapting to having competition. Duran is always ready to play and his impact has been great. I’m always trying to get the best out of both of them.
“We will show our best today and of course it’s a difficult match but we are motivated. We know we have to be very demanding to stop them. It’s going to be an amazing match and we want to play the best teams.”
Duran Duran
13:35
Jhon Duran has still not convinced Unai Emery he deserves a start in the Premier League, despite notching his sixth goal in nine games against Bayern in midweek.
Five of those six goals have come from the bench for Duran, but Emery has stuck with Ollie Watkins as his lone striker today.
Neville fears for Ten Hag
13:27 , Jamie Dickenson
Gary Neville has suggested Erik ten Hag could be sacked during the international break if United lose heavily to Aston Villa.
“We always know clubs reassess during breaks, Neville told Sky Sports.
“There is going to have to be a serious reverse in performance. United always struggle against a team remotely organised, and there will be bit of fear in that United board room that the situation could accelerate outside their control.
“Sometimes these type of things get taken out of your hands.”
Ten Hag plays down pressure
13:18 , Jamie Dickenson
Erik ten Hag is trying to play down the significance of today’s game against Aston Villa.
“Every game is important, so don’t make it too big,” he told Sky Sports. “We are calm and composed. My players and I are very calm and focused purely on our own deficits and what we need to improve on.
“It’s part of a process and we need a strong mentality, we have to improve and move forward.
“Aston Villa are a very good team and it’s a challenge they beat Munich. They have also made some changes and we can see what they are looking for.”
Huge calls from Ten Hag
13:01
Erik ten Hag has stuck his neck on the line with some huge calls today – bringing in Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans for Matthijs de Light and Lisandro Martinez.
He’s also dropped fellow new signing Manuel Ugarte with Kobbie Mainoo returning to the side.
Will the decisions pay off for the Dutchman?
Man Utd confirmed team
12:48 , Jamie Dickenson
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Evans, Maguire, Dalot; Mainoo, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
Subs: Bayindir, De Ligt, Lindelof, Martinez, Casemiro, Ugarte, Amad, Antony, Zirkzee.
Aston Villa confirmed team
12:47 , Jamie Dickenson
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Barkley; Bailey, Rogers, Philogene; Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Nedeljkovic, Maatson, Diego Carlos, Bogarde, Swinkels, Buendia, Young, Duran.
Proud Villa
12:46
Aston Villa are clearly delighted to be back at the top table of European football, something their rivals today are not.
Villa are proud of winning the 1982 European Cup, where they also beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the final in Rotterdam.
Team news coming up…
12:38 , Jamie Dickenson
We will have the confirmed teams from Villa Park soon and the word on social media is that Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are both set to start for Manchester United.
That would be a huge call from Erik ten Hag, who has opted for Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez as his central defensive partnership in the last two games.
Chaotic United
12:29 , Jamie Dickenson
Meanwhile United salvaged a 3-3 draw in Porto on Thursday night, blowing a 2-0 lead in the process.
They had Harry Maguire to thank after his late equaliser at the Estadio do Dragao…
Villa firing
12:16
The task ahead of Erik ten Hag and Man United today is considerable as they face as Aston Villa side unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions and flying high after beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Here’s how Unai Emery’s side defeated the German heavyweights…
Ratcliffe refuses to back Ten Hag
11:58 , Giuseppe Muro
Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week refused to publicly back Erik ten Hag as his future hangs in the balance.
Ratcliffe, a minority co-owner at Old Trafford, is expected be at Villa Park amid growing concern at United about results and performances.
Asked in an interview with the BBC on Friday whether he retains faith in Ten Hag, Ratcliffe would not be drawn.
“I don’t want to answer that question,” he said.
“I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call, it’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.”
Any decision on Ten Hag will be taken by chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Van Nistelrooy ‘to be offered’ United job
11:50 , Giuseppe Muro
Ruud van Nistelrooy is in line to take over at Manchester United if Erik ten Hag is sacked.
Ten Hag is under increasing pressure and defeat away at Aston Villa on Sunday would leave the beleaguered Dutchman on the brink.
Former United striker Van Nistelrooy is on the coaching staff at Old Trafford and the Mirror report he “will be offered the job on an interim basis if Ten Hag is sacked”.
But Van Nistelrooy is said to be worried about being seen as betraying Ten Hag, who brought him back to United in the summer as part of his backroom team.
The report claims Van Nistelrooy “does not want to be portrayed as an opportunist”.
Aston Villa vs Manchester United odds
11:45 , Giuseppe Muro
Aston Villa to win: 6/5
Draw: 27/10
Manchester United to win: 21/10
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
11:37 , Giuseppe Muro
An early arrival at Villa Park. Sir Alex Ferguson is here on what is a big day for Erik ten Hag…
Head to head history and results
11:34 , Giuseppe Muro
Aston Villa wins: 51
Draws: 41
Man United wins: 106
Prediction
11:30 , Giuseppe Muro
While United did do the double over Villa last season despite finishing eighth, things have got even worse for the Red Devils in the time since.
It is hard to see anything but a win for Unai Emery’s side, who will be on top of the world after their midweek heroics, and another defeat for Ten Hag in what could be his final game in charge.
Aston Villa to win 3-1.
Manchester United team news
11:25 , Giuseppe Muro
Bruno Fernandes is available for Manchester United at Aston Villa after his red card against Tottenham was rescinded on appeal.
Kobbie Mainoo is a doubt after missing the midweek Europa League draw at Porto.
Matthijs de Ligt has been subject of criticism for his poor form and Ten Hag is facing calls to restore fit-again Harry Maguire to his defence after his late equaliser in Portugal.
United have conceded six goals in two matches in the past week but options for defensive changes are limited with Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia all still unavailable.
If Mainoo is fit then he will return to the team and will likely be partnered by summer signing Manuel Ugarte despite his early struggles.
Mason Mount missed the Porto game with a head injury sustained late on against Tottenham, but he avoided a concussion so could be available as another option in midfield.
Aston Villa team news
11:18 , Giuseppe Muro
Aston Villa have fitness concerns over midfielders Amadou Onana, Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey.
John McGinn remains out with a hamstring injury but Matty Cash returned to the squad for Wednesday’s win against Bayern Munich.
How to watch: Sky Sports
11:12 , Giuseppe Muro
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 1pm.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.
Good afternoon!
11:11 , Giuseppe Muro
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Aston Villa vs Manchester United!
Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure going into a huge game at Villa Park.
Scrutiny over Ten Hag’s position has intensified after last weekend’s shambolic 3-0 home defeat by Tottenham.
United then needed an injury-time equaliser from Harry Maguire to salvage a 3-3 draw at Porto on Thursday and defeat today could leave Ten Hag on the brink.
Villa have made a strong start to the season under Unai Emery and, after their historic 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, will fancy their chances against United.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 2pm BST from Villa Park!
