Aston Villa v Manchester United: Premier League betting preview, free tip & TV

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Aston Villa v Manchester United in the Premier League on Thursday.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 8.15pm Thursday

Best bet

Manchester United -1 goal on handicap
1pt Evs Betfair

Team news

Aston Villa
Tyrone Mings is expected to feature despite picking up a knock in the defeat at Liverpool. Tom Heaton, Matt Targett and Wesley are ruled out, while Bjorn Engels is a doubt.

Manchester United
Victor Lindelof is a doubt and Eric Bailly could take his place. Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones remain sidelined.

Match preview

Time is running out for Aston Villa in their pursuit of Premier League survival and Dean Smith’s strugglers may find themselves pushed further into the relegation mire following a visit from a fired-up Manchester United.

Watford’s win at home to Norwich on Tuesday leaves Villa four points adrift of the Hornets with five games to play and there has been little evidence to suggest they can enhance their survival claims by springing a surprise on the rejuvenated Red Devils.

Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at newly-crowned champions Liverpool means Villa have picked up just two points from the last 27 available in the Premier League and their inability to find a regular source of goals is costing them.

No Villa player has reached double figures this season - Jack Grealish leads the way on nine - and the injury to Belgian forward Wesley has intensified their goalscoring problem.

With Wesley sidelined, Smith has had to alternate between Keinan Davis and Mbwana Samatta in attack but his team have managed just two goals in their last seven league games.

Villa have fired blanks in home meetings with Sheffield United and Wolves since football returned and they are unlikely to get much joy from a United side operating at the top of their game.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side arrive at Villa Park unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions, having booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals and put themselves in with a real shot of securing a top-four finish.

United were held to a 1-1 draw at Tottenham in their opening game after the resumption but 3-0 wins over Sheffield United and Brighton and a 5-2 beating of Bournemouth have raised the spirits at Old Trafford and had supporters reminiscing about the good old days.

Solskjaer is getting the best from their array of attacking stars with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood provided with super service from midfield maestros Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.

With seven clean sheets in their last nine league games and the swagger of their frontline, United should ramp up the pressure on Chelsea and Leicester in the race for Champions League qualification with maximum points at Villa Park.

A Manchester United win to nil is worthy of consideration but perhaps a safer investment lies with the Red Devils to win by two goals or more.

Solskjaer’s side have won six of their last eight league contests, triumphing by at least two goals on each occasion including in wins over Chelsea and Manchester City. There is an evident lack of scoring threat in Villa’s ranks and United should capitalise.

Key stat

Manchester United have scored 11 goals in winning their last three Premier League matches.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport