Erik ten Hag is feeling the heat as Manchester United travel to Villa Park this Sunday, needing a vital Premier League win.
After a string of poor results, including a heavy 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, Manchester United’s season is on shaky ground.
But the challenge is stiff, as they face an Aston Villa side high on confidence following their Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich.
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United’s current Premier League campaign has been nothing short of disappointing. With just seven points from their opening six games, they have equaled their worst-ever Premier League start.
Erik ten Hag’s team has secured only two wins, against Southampton and Fulham, while suffering humiliating losses to stronger opponents. Their recent home record is alarming, having lost their last two home matches by a combined score of 6-0.
Adding more pressure, last week’s 3-3 Europa League draw against Porto did little to ease the tension.
A late goal from Harry Maguire salvaged the draw, but the cracks in United’s defensive line were evident.
Now, they face Aston Villa, a team that has been nearly unstoppable at home, making Sunday’s fixture even more crucial.
Aston Villa’s Red-Hot Form
Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, have been in excellent form this season. Villa have picked up 13 points from their first six Premier League matches, marking their best start since the 2008-09 season.
Moreover, their victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League and a solid unbeaten run in four league matches underline their growing strength.
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Villa’s attack, powered by players like Ollie Watkins and the in-form Jhon Duran, is proving lethal. Duran’s rise has been particularly impressive, with five goals this season, all coming from the bench.
His knack for scoring key goals and Villa’s potent attacking threat is something United’s shaky defense will have to deal with.
The statistics make Villa the favorites on Sunday, with Opta’s win probability favoring them at 42%. But Manchester United have historically dominated this fixture, having won 40 Premier League games against Villa.
Key Players to Watch
Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins continues to be a consistent performer for Aston Villa. With four goals already this season, Watkins has been directly involved in 55 goals under Unai Emery’s management. His ability to create and score makes him a crucial figure for Villa, especially against a vulnerable Manchester United defense.
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United’s creative engine, and his availability for this match is a huge relief for Ten Hag. Though Fernandes hasn’t scored yet this season, his influence is undeniable.
He leads United in shots taken, and sooner or later, one of those shots is bound to find the back of the net. Bettors should watch for Fernandes’ impact at Jambobet, where exciting player-specific bets are on offer.
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Defensive Woes for United
Manchester United’s defensive fragility has been their Achilles’ heel. Despite managing two clean sheets away from home recently, they have conceded a worrying number of goals. The team’s defensive shape often leaves wide gaps, allowing opponents to capitalize on these opportunities.
Under Ten Hag, United have lost eight matches by a margin of three or more goals. While their defense has only conceded eight goals, their expected goals against (xGA) is much higher at 11.04, indicating that their backline is susceptible to high-quality chances.
Aston Villa will look to exploit these defensive weaknesses, especially with their strong home record. United will need to tighten up defensively if they want to stand a chance of coming away with any points from Villa Park.
