Manchester United and Aston Villa’s Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford

Not many people will move from their sofas on Boxing Day, and football fans have the perfect excuse not to budge from their favourite spot, as there is an array of Premier League fixtures to enjoy on December 26. 

Newcastle host Nottingham Forest at St. James’ Park in the early kick-off at 12:30, while a relegation battle between Sheffield United vs Luton Town and Bournemouth vs Fulham are at 15:00. 
 

Strugglers Burnley will then welcome table-toppers Liverpool to Turf Moor at 17:30 before Manchester United go head-to-head with high-flying Aston Villa at Old Trafford at 20:00 to round off the action-packed day. 

It’s arguably the latter of those five fixtures that is of the most interest, as the clash pits two teams with contrasting trajectories. 
Unai Emery’s men are riding high and looking like potential title challengers, while Erik ten Hag’s side have shown glimpses of brilliance but have struggled for consistency this season. 

That makes this one a tough game to call in the Man United vs Villa odds, so let’s take a look at the two sides before their Boxing Day showdown. 

Aston Villa’s resurgence

Aston Villa have undergone a remarkable transformation since the arrival of former Arsenal boss Emery in October 2022.

The Spaniard guided them away from danger of relegation to a respectable seventh in the 2022-23 campaign, which secured Europa Conference League qualification. 

Currently sitting in an impressive third place after 16 games of the 2023-24 season, they find themselves just two points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

The statistics underline their resurgence - 11 wins, two draws, and three losses, with a goal difference of +15 (35 goals scored, 20 conceded).

Aston Villa are currently riding a wave of momentum, enjoying a five-game unbeaten streak at the time of writing, including notable victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Arsenal.

Key players such as Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, and Leon Bailey have been instrumental in their success.

Manchester United’s mixed bag

Contrastingly, Manchester United, under the guidance of Dutchman Ten Hag, have experienced a season of mixed fortunes.
While the previous campaign saw them lift the League Cup and finish third in the league, their current standing at sixth place after 16 games raises questions about their consistency.

With nine wins and seven defeats, Manchester United finds themselves 10 points behind the league leaders and their archnemesis Liverpool.

Recent performances have been a blend of brilliance and inconsistency, with victories against Luton Town, Everton, and Chelsea tempered by losses to Newcastle United and a humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth at home.

Key battles

The Boxing Day clash presents intriguing storylines and key battles that could sway someone’s preference when looking to bet on Premier League.

Can Aston Villa's dangerous attack, led by the prolific Watkins, unlock a Manchester United defence that has shown vulnerability at times this season?

How will the midfield battle unfold, with John McGinn and Douglas Luiz going head-to-head against the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay?

The match will also be a test of character for Manchester United, as they seek to regain their winning momentum against a formidable opponent.

Will the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford be able to break down a resolute Aston Villa defence, marshalled by the likes of Diego Carlos and Pau Torres?

The Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Aston Villa promises high stakes and intense action.

For Villa, it's an opportunity to further cement their status as genuine title contenders, while for Manchester United, it's a chance to reignite their campaign and prove that the early-season inconsistency was merely a blip.