Manchester United vs Aston Villa Predictions

• Manchester United have failed to score in their last three matches
• Aston Villa have won eight of their last nine games
• The only teams United have beaten in their last 14 Premier League outings have been relegated Leicester and Ipswich

Villa geared for a vital win

There is a huge bunfight on Sunday to decide who will join champions Liverpool, likely runners-up Arsenal and newly crowned Europa League winners Tottenham in next season’s Champions League and Aston Villa are right in the thick of the battle.

Other results may have to go Villa’s way but they will be determined to complete their side of the bargain when they visit a Manchester United team still reeling from their dismal defeat to Spurs in Bilbao on Wednesday.

And the visitors have every reason to be confident as they have won four of their last five away matches without conceding and there was no shame in being sunk by an injury-time winner from last year’s winners Manchester in the other encounter in that run.

The steadiness of their defence gives Unai Emery a chance and they are unlikely to need a second invitation with morale through the floor in the Red Devils camp.

Goal-shy United have heaps of issues

United dominated possession against Spurs but were unable to do anything with it as they looked highly unlikely to break through once Brennan Johnson’s scrappy goal put the Londoners in front.

That will lead to plenty of soul-searching for manager Ruben Amorim and his side as they attempt to try and give their supporters something to smile about after already being assured of their worst Premier League finish, but it may not be as easy as that.

Villa have won eight of their last nine matches and United look like they do not have a goal threat unless Bruno Fernandes can muster something from the eage of the penalty are or they can get a penalty.

The visitors clean sheet should stay intact and a 2-0 win for Emery’s side that would keep them right in the hunt for a top-five finish may attract those looking for a correct-score interest.

Watkins can make his mark

Ollie Watkins is likely to spearhead the Villa attack and the England striker should be backed to get himself on the scoresheet.

That happened in their last away game when the former Brentford man came up with the all-important goal to claim a 1-0 win at Bournemouth and he has also netted against both Newcastle and Southampton in the last month, so there looks a strong chance he can end the campaign with a bang.