Did United start their engines late in the battle for the Champions League? It seemed like an impossible mission, but after two consecutive victories, seven points in the last three matches, it is not that unrealistic. The battle for the fourth position is open, although nine points behind Tottenham is big – it is not unattainable.The day’s derby in the Premier League is played at 7.30 PM EAT at Villa Park, where a candidate for the European elite hosts Erik ten Hag’s awakened company once again. After just a point in the first two rounds last week, Unai Emery’s team ran over Sheffield United 5-0 at Bramall Lane.At one point, Aston Villa had eight consecutive victories at their stadium, but then a draw with Sheffield United and a defeat against Newcastle followed ten days ago. Man United finally play better football, more fluid in attack – seven goals in the last 180 minutes. The big and expensive reinforcement from Atalanta, Dane Rasmus Hojlund, showed that he is the future of the club from the Theater of Dreams. He shook the net in four games in a row.Wild Spurs comeback, Liverpool’s Latin lovers and unpredictable Hatters – it’s been a crazy SaturdayTen Hag confirmed that Aaron Wan Bissaka, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia are injured. Frenchman Raphael Varane replaced Lisandro Martinez against West Ham in a 3-0 win at Old Trafford. Argentinian will not be in the squad for two months, and the competitors for the stopper position are Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.”It’s very good how Emery has developed this team and it’s very clear how they want to play, in and out of possession. The players know exactly what they have to do, what their job is and how they have to cooperate with each other. Villa are really a team, they absolutely have weapons in all lines of the team, so we have to play at the maximum level to get the right result”, said Ten Hag.⚽️ Ollie Watkins is the 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐘 player to have reached double figures for both goals 𝐀𝐍𝐃 assists in the Premier League this season📺 The Edge of the Box panel preview Aston Villa’s welcome of Manchester United today, presented by @UltimateFanUK 👇— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 11, 2024 Aston Villa will be without the services of Ezri Konsa and Jhon Duran today, while Lucas Digne and Pau Torres have recovered from injuries.Emery downplays the hype regarding the Champions League.”The message is the same as last week in Sheffield. In the Premier League you need to be consistent for 38 games. Our main goal this season is to be consistent. We are consistent. Every match is so special. We are playing this match for six points”, Basque is aware of the importance of the duel against the Red Devils.In the first part of the championship, Villa led 2-0 in Manchester after 45 minutes with goals from McGinn and Dendoncker, but in the continuation came United’s rhapsody – two goals from the Argentinian Garnacho, while the deciding goal was the work of Hojlund eight minutes before the end.Old Trafford relies on youthENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 24Saturday Manchester City – Everton 2-0 (0-0)/Haaland 71, 85/Luton – Sheffield United 1-3 (0-2)/Morris 52 pen – Archer 30, McAtee 36 pen, Souza 72/Liverpool – Burnley 3-1 (1-1)/Jota 31, Diaz 52, Nunez 79 – O’Shea 45/Fulham – Bournemouth 3-1 (2-0)/De Cordova-Reid 5, Muniz 36, 52 – Senesi 50/Wolverhampton – Brentford 0-2 (0-1)/Norgaard 35, Toney 77/Tottenham – Brighton 2-1 (0-1)/Sarr 61, Johnson 90+6 – Gross 16 pen/Nottingham Forest – Newcastle United 2-3 (2-2)/Elanga 26, Hudson-Odoi 45+6 – Guimaraes 10, 66, Schar 43/Sunday 17.00: (6.25) West Ham (4.10) Arsenal (1.60)19.30: (2.20) Aston Villa (3.60) Man.Utd. (3.40)Monday 23.00: (4.40) Crystal Palace (3.50) Chelsea (1.85)***odds are subject to change
