Introduction
Afternoon everyone and welcome to today's clash – indeed the only match across all four (men’s) divisions.
Coinciding with the winter solstice, the fixture planners have opted for the shortest programme possible. And the fixture they have picked is one that ended in a scoreless draw last season.
However, it could be very tasty this occasion. Aston Villa have won nine games in a row across every tournament.
Manchester United, now solely focused on league action, have won just twice in their past seven fixtures. Yet, against this particular side, United start to appear as the dominant power they once were.
Villa have even managed to giving post-Ferguson managers a positive record: in 18 Premier League encounters against United over the past decade, Villa have won two, drawn four and lost 12.
Today they will have winning momentum on their side. And a much more capable manager. Emery secures victories in over half of his games with Villa; Ruben Amorim wins 39 per cent of his with United.
The difference is clear in the way each has utilized his club’s top young talent. Emery has transformed Morgan Rogers into a key player, Amorim often regards Kobbie Mainoo with skepticism.
The Red Devils were without two key players today, due to the Afcon. Additionally, thanks to a needless challenge the other night that resulted in a suspension (and a conceded free-kick goal), they will also be without their experienced midfielder.
Amorim appears to have three options for a replacement, none of which are ideal.
- (1) Start Mainoo, who – by the manager's own admission – performed admirably against Bournemouth, adding stability to a game that had become an office party.
- (2) Recall Ugarte, who has a habit of being on the field when United implode.
- (3) Insult both of them by playing a player in an unfamiliar role, such as Martinez, who is still returning to fitness after a nine-month injury.
Option four is also possible: ditch the third centre-back, play the two midfielders as a pair in the defensive midfield, and let Bruno Fernandes return to his natural habitat in attack.
This is Amorim’s first visit to this historic ground. Stats suggest he’s three times more likely to lose than to win (57% chance vs 20%).
But it frequently benefits United to be the less-favored side and they’ve been better away from home lately, with three wins and two draws since early autumn.
Aston Villa's perfect run has not translated to dominance: their last seven victories have come by a one-goal margin.
With the festive season here, so anything can happen.
