Manchester United vs Aston Villa Prediction & Betting Tips - Premier League

Prediction published on 30/12/2020, 00:41  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 30/12/2020 at 00:45 in Premier League Predictions

Manchester United continued with their rise at home after registering a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and will like the idea of playing a second straight home match as they open the new year, hosting Aston Villa. The win over Wolves saw United rise to second in the standings on 30 points while Aston Villa are fifth on 26 points. Marcus Rashford scored in stoppage time as United had to handle another gritty opponent just days after they drew 2-2 with Leicester City. It was far from an impressive performance from Manchester United but they will be glad to have banked all points and are now unbeaten in their last six matches. In the six matches, United have registered three clean sheets, scored two or more goals in four and failed to score in one game. They are unbeaten in nine Premier League matches, winning seven of them and have scored two or more goals in six of the nine. In the last 10 league matches, United have however managed just three clean sheets. One player who will have a lot of focus on will be Bruno Fernandes; in his first ever game against Villa, in July, he scored one and assisted one as United ran out 3-0 winners at Villa Park. He has been on fire for United in recent matches too – in the last four league games at home, United have scored eight goals, and Fernandes has been involved in five of those. He has scored three of the eight and assisted two, including Rashford’s late winner against Wolves. The Portuguese midfielder is undoubtedly the best player in England at the moment. Since his debut in February, he’s been involved in 32 goals for United, scoring 18 and laying 14 assists. He is currently the team’s lead scorer with 10 goals. United have also stabilized at home after a shaky start and head here on three clean sheets in the last four home league matches. They have conceded just two goals at home since their 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the start of November, and go to this game unbeaten in 16 competitive matches against Aston Villa. They did lose 1-0 to Aston Villa in September but that was in a friendly match.

Aston Villa have also packed up a five-match unbeaten run ahead of this trip to Old Trafford. They head there on the back of a comeback to draw 1-1 with Chelsea. In the last five matches they have three wins, four clean sheets and have failed to score in one, while scoring two or more goals in two of the five. Anwar El Ghazi has been to Villa in the last few matches what Bruno Fernandes has been to United. The Dutchman has scored five goals in the last five matches and has stepped in well when top men Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins have struggled in front of goal. A good rise in form sees Villa go to this game unbeaten in the last three away matches and have three wins in their last five away league matches. Villa have scored in each of their last 11 away matches, winning seven, keeping six clean sheets and losing just once. They have five wins in seven away league matches this season and should feel capable of handling Manchester United at Old Trafford.