Aston Villa stunned German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday and Unai Emery's men bid for another victory over high-profile opposition when Manchester United head to Villa Park on Sunday (14:00).
But while Villa defied the odds to beat Bayern 1-0, the hosts are firm favourites for this clash with the Red Devils, who could part company with under-fire head coach Erik ten Hag if the result does not go their way in the Midlands.
- ASTON VILLA TO WIN
- MORGAN ROGERS TO SCORE OR ASSIST
- NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI TO BE SHOWN A CARD
Villans Can Build On Midweek Success
Villa will be riding high after Jhon Duran's 79th-minute goal earned them a memorable and emotional win at home to Bayern and they fully deserve to be favourites for this meeting with an underperforming Manchester United team.
A day after Villa's gutsy Champions League effort, United let a two-goal lead slip at Porto in the Europa League before Harry Maguire's towering header rescued a point for the Red Devils in a game in which Bruno Fernandes was sent off.
The Portuguese ace also saw red in last weekend's 3-0 Premier League loss to Tottenham but he will be available for this trip to Villa Park after launching a successful appeal.
With or without their captain, United have big problems to address and they've now failed to win any of their last four matches in all competitions.
Villa drew 2-2 at a spirited Ipswich last weekend but the hosts have picked up 10 points from a possible 12 from their last four Premier League matches and appear to be a cut above their visitors.
The Red Devils have struggled against the Premier League's stronger sides – they were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool at Old Trafford at the start of September – and there's no doubt Villa belong in that bracket. They can offer further proof by claiming the victory.
ASTON VILLA TO WIN
Rogers To Catch Carsley's Eye
Morgan Rogers missed out on a place in Lee Carsley's England squad for the Nations League matches against Greece and Finland but Aston Villa's flying forward can keep advertising his talents on Sunday.
The 22-year-old has made a brilliant start to the season. He has been involved in several goal contributions in recent weeks, producing two assists in Villa's 3-1 home victory over Wolves a fortnight ago and finding the net for the first time this term against Ipswich.
Ollie Watkins is rightly rated most likely to find the net for the hosts but, given Rogers' fine form, it could pay to back him in the 'to score or assist' markets.
MORGAN ROGERS TO SCORE OR ASSIST
United Full-Back Could Have Hands Full
Villa entered the weekend having drawn the third-most fouls in the Premier League this season and their opponents could struggle to keep their discipline if the situation turns sour.
The performances of Noussair Mazraoui have been one of the few bright spots for United but the full-back was booked against Spurs and could fall foul of referee Robert Jones's whistle.
Mazraoui has made 20 tackles and 10 fouls this season – the most in either category for his team – and Villa's tricky attackers could force him into regular defensive intervention.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI TO BE SHOWN A CARD
