Premier League: Team news, broadcast options, preview for Man United vs. Aston Villa on Dec. 26, 2023

Темы: TV Schedules, Manchester United, Aston Villa, English Premier League

The Red Devils host Unai Emery's high-flying side on Boxing Day with the sole goal of return to winning ways. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. Here is a preview of this Old Trafford clash.

Where can I watch Man United vs. Aston Villa live on TV?

This game will be televised on USA Network and Universo for fans in the USA. However, this Boxing Day showdown will not be televised live in the UK. In Australia, Optus Sport has got fans of the Premier League covered with their coverage of this tie. If you live elsewhere, please check our dedicated match page for further information on how to follow this game live on TV in your country.

Where can I stream Man United vs. Aston Villa live?

Fans in the USA can steam this clash on Universo NOW, Telemundo En Vivo Deportes, or the NBC Sports APP. UK fans can tune in to Amazon Prime Video exclusively to stream the game live while those in Canada need a fuboTV Canada subscription to watch this game live. Optus Sport, once again, has fans in Australia covered. If you live elsewhere, please check our dedicated match page for further information on how to stream this game live in your country.

Preview

Manchester United headline the Boxing Day fixtures as the Red Devils host Unai Emery's high-flying Aston Villa side in a highly anticipated showdown. Old Trafford will be the venue for this 3 p.m. ET battle as Ten Hag's men aim to return to winning ways.

The Red Devils have been enduring a horrible campaign so far, and their season got even worse over the weekend after suffering a frustrating defeat away to West Ham on Saturday.

Goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus condemned Ten Hag's men to their eighth Premier League defeat of the season. Given that they have played only 18 games so far, Manchester United have lost nearly half of their top-flight outings this season.

However, across all competitions, Rashford and Co. have lost half of their matches. This is thanks to their dreadful UEFA Champions League campaign that saw them crash out in the group stage.

In their last home fixture, the 20-time English champions lost 3-0 to Bournemouth. They then drew nil-nil away to Liverpool, which was a positive result, but lost away to West Ham immediately after. As a result, they now sit eighth in the table and could drop to ninth if they stumble and ninth-placed Brighton beat Tottenham on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa missed out on a golden opportunity to go top of the table for Christmas. Arsenal and Liverpool, the only two teams ahead of them in the standings, faced each other at Anfield on Sunday, meaning a win on Friday against relegation-battling Sheffield United would have taken them to first.

Instead, Watkins and Co. drew 1-1, with Zaniolo scoring deep into stoppage time to rescue the Lions a 1-1 draw. Nonetheless, Villa remain unbeaten in their last 10 matches across all competitions.

This run saw Emery's men face Manchester City and Arsenal in back-to-back games, winning both ties 1-0. Additionally, they also secured crucial victories over Tottenham and Brentford since losing 2-0 at Nottingham Forest in late October.

As a result, Villa are level on points with Liverpool — but behind on goal difference — and trail leaders Arsenal by a single point. The question on everyone's mind is if Watkins and Co. can go all the way this season. A win at Old Trafford will go a long way in convincing their doubters.

Team news

Manchester United: The hosts will welcome Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot back to the team. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane has overcome the virus that kept him out of the West Ham tie and is expected to start. There are uncertainties over Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund but Kobbie Mainoo should retain his spot in the lineup despite his crucial error for the second goal in the defeat to West Ham. Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, and Tyrell Malacia are all sidelined.

Aston Villa: Pau Torres is a doubt, meaning Clement Lenglet will likely partner Diego Carlos at the heart of Villa's defense. Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Bertrand Traore, Youri Tielemans, and Robin Olsen are all confirmed absentees.

Key stats

Man United have lost only five Premier League encounters with Aston Villa in their 56 encounters so far.
However, Emery's men have won twice in their last four showdowns, including an unforgettable 3-1 victory at Villa Park last season.
Out of the last nine available points away from home, the visitors have won seven.
No team has won more matches on Boxing Day than the Red Devils (53).
However, Villa are in close second, triumphing 46 times in Premier League matches played on December 26.
These two clubs met twice at Old Trafford last season, with Manchester United winning on both occasions — 4-2 in the Carabao Cup but only 1-0 in the league.