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Teams enough
The story of the two Martinezes. For Villa, Emi Martinez is back in goal after missing two games: his first job is not being fired, as he did in Villa’s 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford in May. For United, Lisandro Martinez is not considered ready to start, which means he is accompanied by the inexperienced Leny Yoro and Ayden Kumwa. Against Bournemouth, they were both good going forward but weak when pushed at the back.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1) Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins.
Subs: Bizot, Routh, Digne, Garcia, Hemmings, Buendia, Bogarde, Guessand, Malen.
Manchester United (probably 3-4-2-1) Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Dalot, Ugars, Fernands, Dorgu; Mountain, Cunha; Swimming.
Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Fredericson, Martinez, Malacia, J Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Zirkzee.
Team overview: Lindelof starts!
Victor Lindelof can hardly be said to have played a major role in Villa’s promotion. He has only 119 minutes in the league, according to fbref. But he played the whole game at West Ham last Sunday and will start again today. He will be surrounded by his old friends, although they will not include midfielder Benjamin Sesko, who arrived at Old Trafford after Lindelof’s departure.
Teams in short: no Mainoo, so Ugarte is back
In the first start of the season, Kobbie Mainoo suffered a slight injury, so he is not on the bench and Manuel Ugarte shot to redeem himself. Ruben Amorim brings back Patrick Dorgu, which shows that he is going after something he doesn’t like.
Pre-match reading: United
Can anyone understand the 4-4 farrago last Monday? Maybe not, but me I went to United WritingThe Substack newsletter Rob Smyth and I started for our friends assistants patients.
Pre-reading: Villa
If you want to hear more about Unai Emery’s success, Jonathan Wilson is waiting for you with all his wisdom.
Introduction
All afternoon welcome to today’s big game – essentially the only game in all four (men’s) divisions in England. On the shortest day of the year, the authorities have decided to launch a very short program. And the game they have chosen is the one that ended 0-0 last season.
However, this time can be very sweet. Aston Villa have won nine games in a row in all competitions. Manchester Unitedwith only one race to worry about, they have won just twice in their last seven races. When faced with these opponents, United begin to resemble the power they once had. Villa have also managed to make Alex Ferguson’s successor look good: in 18 league games against United since 2013-14, Villa have won two, drawn four and lost 12.
Today they will have power on their side. And a very capable manager. Unai Emery wins 55 percent of his games with Villa; Ruben Amorim has won 39 percent of his games with United. You can see the difference between them in the way each has treated their very bright baby. While Emery has done well with Morgan Rogers, Amorim tends to see Kobbie Mainoo as someone to be mocked or ridiculed.
United knew they would miss Bryan Mbeumo and Amad today, because of Afcon. But, thanks to a stupid mistake the other night that led to a stoppage (and a goal from a free kick), they will also be without Casemiro.
Amorim seems to have three options for change, none of which he would prefer. (1) Put faith in Mainoo, who – as Amorim himself admitted – played well against Bournemouth, bringing calm to a game that turned into an office party. (2) Back to Manuel Ugarte, who has a habit of staying on the field when United are down. (3) Mock them both by playing someone out of position, like Lisandro Martinez, who should start as he returns from a nine-month injury. There could be (4): leave the third at the back, play Mainoo and Ugarte as two in the pivot, and let Bruno Fernandes return to his natural position in front.
This is Amorim’s first visit to Villa Park. According to Opta, they are three times more likely to lose than win (57pc to 20). But he often has to keep his team low and they have been good away from home recently, with three wins and two draws since the start of October. Villa’s flawless consistency has not led to dominance: their last seven wins have all come by one goal. And it’s Christmas, so anything can happen.
