*Match preview and betting tips provided by SVB Tips
Unai Emery’s team are still in the hunt for a Champions League place, while United come into this match deflated after their disappointing Europa League final loss to Tottenham.
United Limp to the Finish Line
This season has been one of Manchester United’s worst in recent history. With hopes pinned on the Europa League, they fell short after losing the final to Spurs — missing out not only on silverware but also a backdoor route to the Champions League. It marked their third straight defeat and 20th overall this season — the most in over 50 years, since their disastrous 1973/74 campaign that saw them relegated.
With only this game left — and being at home — it remains to be seen whether Ruben Amorim’s squad can muster one last show of pride or suffer another setback. United haven’t won in the Premier League since mid-March (3-0 at Leicester), having shifted focus to Europe. Even worse, their last home league win came on February 26 (3-2 vs Ipswich). Currently, they are at risk of finishing just above the drop zone — sitting just one point above Spurs. For this match, Amorim will be without Lisandro Martínez, the only confirmed absentee.
Villa Between Champions League and Conference League
Aston Villa have had a strong season, staying in the Champions League race until the very end. They exited the competition in the quarterfinals this year after a tough tie against PSG. Since then, they’ve shown resilience — thrashing Newcastle 4-1, before suffering back-to-back defeats: a 2-1 loss to Manchester City and a 3-0 elimination by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final.
Villa bounced back with three clean-sheet wins in the Premier League — 1-0 vs Fulham, 1-0 at Bournemouth, and 2-0 over Spurs. Heading into the final round, they sit sixth, a Europa League qualifying position, level on points with Newcastle and Chelsea, and just two points behind third-placed Man City. Meanwhile, they’re only one point above Forest, who currently occupy the Conference League spot.
A win at Old Trafford would secure at least a Europa League place for Villa, but for a Champions League ticket, they’ll need other results to go their way. On-loan Marcus Rashford is ineligible to feature against his parent club, while Youri Tielemans is also a doubt.
Probable Lineups
Manchester United: Andre Onana – Yoro, Maguire, Shaw – Diogo Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dorgu – Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes – Joshua Zirkzee
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martinez – Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen – Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana – Morgan Rogers, Marco Asensio, John McGinn – Ollie Watkins
Betting Tips
- 1. Aston Villa to Win or Draw (Double Chance): With motivation firmly on their side and United in free fall, Villa have the edge. The visitors are chasing Champions League football, while United have little left to fight for.
- 2. Under 2.5 Goals: Both sides have been involved in low-scoring matches recently, and with United struggling to find rhythm in attack, this could be a cagey affair.
- 3. Aston Villa to Score First: Villa have scored first in their last three league games and may come out stronger against a deflated United side.
- 4. Ollie Watkins to Score Anytime: Watkins is Villa’s top scorer and will likely be their main threat up front, especially against a shaky United defence.