Who can stop a rampaging Aston Villa? Manchester United?

Sunday’s Premier League schedule may be short on quantity, but it delivers plenty of intrigue, as Aston Villa welcome Manchester United to the West Midlands in a clash loaded with ambition and pressure.

Villa arrive riding a remarkable wave of momentum, chasing a 10th consecutive win in all competitions and continuing a run that has unexpectedly pushed them into the title discussion. Unai Emery’s side were tested last weekend at the London Stadium, yet a brilliant display from Morgan Rogers powered a dramatic 3–2 comeback against West Ham, ensuring the Villans remain firmly on the heels of the league’s leading pair.

Another victory would carry historic weight: Villa have not won 10 matches in a row across all competitions since 1914, and they have never before put together seven straight Premier League wins.

Manchester United, meanwhile, come off a chaotic draw with Bournemouth that perfectly summed up their season so far—potent in attack, fragile at the back. Ruben Amorim’s team surrendered multiple leads in an eight-goal thriller, preserving their impressive home stat but raising fresh concerns about defensive solidity. Consecutive four-goal performances, following the rout of Wolves, would normally inspire confidence, yet the looming departures of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to the Africa Cup of Nations threaten to dull their attacking edge.

Despite the turbulence, United remain within striking distance of the top four and have been reliable entertainers away from home, scoring and conceding in each of their last six league trips. Villa Park has also been a favorable venue for the Red Devils historically, with 18 Premier League wins there—second only to their away record against Everton. Still, Emery knows how to beat United at home, having guided Villa to victory in this fixture back in 2022.

Team news could play a key role. Emiliano Martinez, strongly linked with United over the summer, has missed Villa’s last two matches due to a back issue but is reportedly feeling much improved and could return. Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, and Ross Barkley remain unavailable, while Harvey Elliott has been battling illness and Jadon Sancho cannot face his parent club.

BETTING GUIDE: Aston Villa Vs Manchester United, match preview, team news and betting tip

United also face defensive absences, with Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire still sidelined, and Noussair Mazraoui joining Diallo and Mbeumo in departing for AFCON. Those gaps may allow Patrick Dorgu to come back into the starting XI, with Diogo Dalot shifting to the right wing-back role. Up front, Benjamin Sesko—recently recovered from a knee injury—is expected to lead the line in Mbeumo’s absence.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 17

Saturday

Newcastle - Chelsea 2-2 (2-0)

/Woltemade 4, 20 - James 49, Pedro 66/

Bournemouth - Burnley 1-1 (0-0)

/Semenyo 67 - Broja 90/

Brighton - Sunderland 0-0

Manchester City - West Ham 3-0 (2-0)

/Haaland 5,69, Reijnders 38/

Wolverhampton - Brentford 0-2 (0-0)

/Lewis-Potter 63, 83/

Tottenham - Liverpool 1-2 (0-0)

/Richarlison 83 - Isak 56, Ekitike 66/

Everton - Arsenal 0-1 (0-1)

/Gyokeres 27 pen/

Leeds United - Crystal Palace 4-1 (2-0)

/Calwert-Lewin 38, 45+4, Ampadu 60, Stach 90+11 - Devenny 90+2 pen/

Sunday

19.30: (2.20) Aston Villa (3.75) Man.Utd. (3.25)

Monday

23.00: (2.50) Fulham (3.30) Nott.Forest (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***