Manchester United will kick start 2021 with a home clash against Aston Villa on Friday night. United would aim to extend its unbeaten run to 10 matches, while Aston Villa would try to move closer to Liverpool and United in the table.
Match Timings: Jan 02, 1:30 AM IST
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Man United starts its new year in Old Trafford, and Ole’s side will look to change the home record in 2021. With the streak of nine unbeaten matches in top-flight, the Red Devils have taken the second spot. Liverpool played a goalless draw to Newcastle, and it gave an excellent opportunity to United as they can equalise Klopp’s side on points. 2020 was a roller coaster ride for Man United. They have been impactful since the Premier League's resumption after the COVID-19 break, and they finished third in 2019-20. In the current season, they are just three points behind the leaders with one match in hand.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men concluded 2020 with a scrappy 1-0 win over Wolves on Tuesday night, courtesy of a 93rd-minute winner from Marcus Rashford. The hectic schedule in top-flight tired United’s players as they had also played the EFL Cup quarterfinal with Everton. The picture is pretty straightforward for United. Three points on New Year can give them the upper hand, and they can back themselves to upstage Liverpool from the top. Klopp's side is underperforming in away matches, and on the other side, United had a good record in away matches in recent times. United can turn around the table in their favour.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa was held for a draw in the previous match, and they finished 2020 with the 5th spot. Ghazi scored an equaliser in the 50th minute in reply to Giroud’s first-half strike. Sitting four points adrift of the second position with a game in hand, Villa also have a great chance to start the new year with a bang. Dean Smith’s side started the campaign high, including the most passionate 7-2 victory against the Champions Liverpool. They maintained the winning run, and with 8 wins and four defeats, they are in a strong position to finish this season in the top four. The task for Smith won’t be so easy as four other teams have equalised them on 26 points, but with better goal difference, Villa can surprise in Premier League 2020-21.
Man United will make few changes in the lineup. Anthony Martial will get the recall in place for Edinson Cavani in the attack. Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Fred, and Scott McTominay will also be back on the team. Victor Lindelof hasn’t recovered from the back problem, and he will sit out on the bench. For Aston Villa, Tyrone Mings will make his return after serving the suspension. Either Kortney Hause or Ezri Konsa will be out of the final playing XI. Ross Barkley is expected to be in the lineup after recovering from the hamstring injury.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Man United
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Current form: D W W W D W
Previous match: 1-0 victory against Wolves
Aston Villa
Martinez; Cash, Hause, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; El Ghazi, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins
Current form: L W D W W D
Previous match: 1-1 draw with Chelsea
Key Players
Man United
Marcus Rashford
7 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Scott McTominay
4 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Aston Villa
Anwar El Ghazi
7 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Ollie Watkins
6 goals in Premier League 2020-21
