Published Dec 18, 5:06am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 18, 5:06am ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Dec 18, 5:06am ET
Fascinating Premier League action is set for Dec 21, as potential title chasers Aston Villa host Man United. But, can the Red Devils upset the odds? Our picks can be found here.
Unai Emery has transformed Villa’s fortunes since arriving at the club, and they come into this clash in red-hot form after winning each of their last six in the EPL, and nine on the bounce in all competitions.
Man United’s inconsistent nature continues to be their undoing. Despite an eye-catching offensive display last Monday, they were held to a 4-4 draw by Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
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|
|---|---|
| Aston Villa | +116 |
| The Draw | +266 |
| Man United | +234 |
When Unai Emery was appointed Villa manager, the club were in the midst of a relegation battle. However, he has made them one of the most consistent teams in the league across the last three seasons, and they narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot for the second straight campaign last term.
The Villa’s form is red-hot, winning each of their last six in the Premier League. At home, the club have been extremely dominant, with only Man City winning more home points than the team in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Villa have suffered just one home defeat this calendar year, which is their fewest in a single year since 1983.
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For the first time in Ruben Amorim’s era, Man United looked like an attacking force last Monday. The combination play between the front four was excellent, with Cunha being at the heart of the display.
However, issues in defense and midfield meant that the Red Devils couldn’t hold onto a win, eventually settling for a staggering 4-4 draw against Bournemouth. That means that United have now dropped ten points from winning positions this season, which is the third-most of any team in the EPL.
Casemiro will also be unavailable this Sunday due to suspension, while the Red Devils will be without African stars Mbeumo and Amad, who have already departed for AFCON.
| TOTAL | Aston Villa | Man United | DRAWS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 62 | 4 | 43 | 15 |
| Goals | 159 | 43 | 116 |
Due to AFCON, it has been reported that Amorim will switch his system this weekend, which could make United more defensively reliable.
United’s staggering record against Villa could be hard to ignore, as the Red Devils have lost just once in their last 26 trips to Villa Park. Therefore, the value could be for the away victory on Sunday.
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Pick
Man United (+234)
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