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Aston Villa wasted the chance to be top of the Premier League at Christmas and they travel to Old Trafford on Boxing Day hoping to pile more pressure on Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag. The visitors have shocked a few people this season and they are currently third on the ladder one point behind current leaders Arsenal. The Red Devils have dropped down to eighth.
Manchester United look like a team with a the weight of the world on their shoulders. They are playing like a team of strangers and they have not scored a Premier League since they beat Chelsea on December 6. In fact, they have failed to score in four of their last five matches in the league. They have a striker in Rasmus Hojlund who is not getting any service. The ball is not getting to him in decent areas and it is no wonder he is yet to score in the Premier League. United cannot afford to lose at home again this season, they have been beaten four times at Old Trafford already this season. Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro are still out injured as Ten Hag will likely look to his youngsters again.
Aston Villa will still be kicking themselves that they failed to beat bottom club Sheffield United last time. Victory would have seen them top of the table at Christmas. They are still in with a shot at the title as they are level on points with Liverpool and one behind leaders Arsenal. Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara are both suspended for the trip to Old Trafford, while Pau Torres, Bertrand Traore, Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia are still injured.
Manchester United have the edge over Aston Villa with 91 wins from 173 encounters. The Red Devils have won three of their last six meetings in all competitions with just one defeat. The last time Villa took three points off United was in 2022 when they won 3-1 at Villa Park. United have not lost at Old Trafford against the Villans in their last four matches.
Manchester United should be winning their home matches. Old Trafford used to be a ground that teams feared going to. That is not the case now and Villa will fancy their chances. I think the visitors will take the game to United and will try to turn their back four at every opportunity. Check out these stats and best betting odds ahead of the game at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Our Betting Tip for Today- Villa to win to nil- 4/1 @ Bet365
Despite United's scratchy form, they can be backed at 8/5 to win at Old Trafford. Villa have been priced the same despite bing in good form. The draw can be backed at 9/2.
I was originally going to back both teams to score in this game, but Manchester United do not fill me with any confidence. They have failed to score in any of their last three league matches, while they have only scored two goals in five games. Villa love to attack under Unai Emery, so I am backing the visitors to snatch three points and put United in deep trouble.
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