Aston Villa vs Manchester United preview: Tickets, team news, line up and odds

Back to Villa Park: Ashley Young will return to take on his former side
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
James Benge13 August 2015

Manchester United take on Aston Villa this Friday night as both sides look to build on encouraging opening day displays.

Though neither United nor Tim Sherwood’s side showed their best form in the first round of Premier League fixtures both managers kicked off their campaigns with 1-0 wins where results trumped fluid performances.

The Villa Park faithful have certainly been kept waiting for a win over United, who they haven’t defeated at home since a 1999 Worthington Cup win.

In the league the wait has now reached nearly 20 years, but Tim Sherwood knows what it takes to defeat United, albeit under David Moyes.

He couldn’t reproduce that result at the back end of last seson, but with a new squad packed with the best and brightest from Ligue 1 will Sherwood be able to mastermind another win against United?

John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Date, time and venue

Villa Park hosts Manchester United for a 19:45 kick-off on Friday August 14. The match had initially been scheduled for Saturday night but an English Defence League march in Walsall caused the fixture to be rearranged.

Where to watch

Sky Sports 1 will have live coverage of the game from 18:00.

Alternatively, follow Standard Sport's live match blog to catch all of the action.

Tickets

No tickets are currently available for the match

Form and recent encounters

Manchester United got the result they were after on the opening day, overcoming Tottenham in an at times dreary first game of the season.

A 1-0 win with a new-look backline including Sergio Romero, Mateo Darmian and Daley Blind would have been particularly pleasing for van Gaal, whose defence did not always inspire confidence throughout last season. United largely kept Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane comfortably at bay, meaning their spluttering attack needed only to force a Kyle Walker own goal to secure the win.

Memphis Depay was one of five new signings to make his debut for United and van Gaal was not entirely impressed with the attacker, saying: “I said to Memphis that he doesn't have to play too eagerly and with too much passion and that counts for the whole team.

“But it's always the same - the first time you play at Old Trafford it's always difficult, but I liked the performance especially from Darmian.”

Villa opened their campaign with a similar 1-0 win, holding off newly promoted Bournemouth before earning the win through Rudy Gestede’s headed finish. It was a pleasing start to the season for Sherwood, who re-energised his side at half time as it looked like Eddie Howe’s men would press on for victory.

Ian Walton/Getty Images

And he will need to build on that improved display if the home side are to have any chance of ending a 12 match losing streak against United. Indeed Villa have only won this fixture once in the entire century, Gabby Agbonlahor scoring the winner in December 2009.

Sherwood was unable to mastermind victory last time he took on van Gaal, with Ander Herrera scoring twice in a 3-1 win.

Team news

Van Gaal professed his shock last week as he prepared for the visit of Tottenham with no injuries to concern himself over. That is not still the case but the manager is only missing Phil Jones, who could be out for the next month with a blood clot. Bastian Schweinsteiger may also not be started as he looks to rebuild match fitness and adapt to the English game.

Though the likelihood of David de Gea remaining at Old Trafford seems to be increasing he is still unlikely to start for United until the transfer window closes or the Real Madrid transfer saga reaches a definitive conclusion. Marouane Fellaini will also continue his suspension dating back to last season’s red card at Hull.

Villa are likely to have to do without two creative midfielders, with youngsters Carles Gil and Jack Grealish both not expected back until later in the month. Centre-back Jores Okore is also set to miss the game with a new injury.

Manchester United possible XI: Romero, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Mata, Depay, Young, Rooney

Aston Villa possible XI: Guzan, Bacuna, Richards, Clark, Amavi, Westwood, Sanchez, Gueye, Agbonlahor, Sinclair, Gestede

What they’re saying

GETTY

Michael Carrick: "The first game is so so important. I think we found that last season as we didn't really start well in the first game and straight away we were playing catch-up. So it was vital we won on Saturday.

“The performance wasn't what we would expect, really, it was not up to the standard we want, but it was all about the result and I'm sure the performances will come in the weeks ahead."

Micah Richards: "They'll always be special games to me, coming up against United. I can't wait for this first one at Villa. I wish the game was right now. It will be a tough game.

“United will obviously be one of the favourites for the title and they have some world-class players. But we've recruited well. We have hungry and talented players in our dressing room and we'll be giving it everything to get the right result."

Odds (William Hill)

Manchester United are unsuprisingly strongly favoured in the betting markets, with the visitors priced at 8/13. The odds of a Villa win are 9/2 with the draw at 14/5.

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