Harri Burton

Mon 25 December 2023 11:10, UK

Unai Emery could be set to make three changes as Aston Villa prepare for their Premier League clash against Manchester United on Boxing Day (26 December).

The Villans travel to Old Trafford off the back of a last-minute draw against Sheffield United as Nicolo Zaniolo scored seven minutes into injury time to rescue a point.

However, Emery’s men have an opportunity to rectify their poor performance with an away fixture against Erik ten Hag’s struggling Man United side despite injuries and suspensions hindering their progress.

Boubacar Kamara continues to serve his three-match suspension after picking up a red card against Brentford, having already accumulated five yellow cards and a one-match suspension.

Villa will also be without Matty Cash through suspension as his yellow card against the Blades was his fifth of the season. Injuries continue to plague the team too, with Tyrone Mings, Youri Tielemans and Bertrand Traore missing out, and Pau Torres still a doubt, as per Birmingham Mail.

A poor result, alongside frustrating suspensions, Villa could make three changes heading into their showdown with the Red Devils.

Emiliano Martinez is expected to maintain his starting position in goal. Although he was unable to prevent Cameron Archer’s goal, the shot-stopper maintained the highest passing accuracy of anyone who played 45 minutes or longer, with 96 per cent. [FotMob]

With Cash suspended, Diego Carlos could be involved at right-back, making his ninth Premier League start of the season.

Alex Moreno could replace Lucas Digne on the opposite flank. With the Frenchman without a goal contribution since 21 September, Moreno offers a more dangerous threat going forward with three shots on target in his last two appearances, boasting an 83 per cent shot accuracy.

Mings continues to recover from injury, so Clement Lenglet and Ezri Konsa could start another Premier League fixture as centre-back partners.

Douglas Luiz and John McGinn are unlikely to be rested in such an important game against Man United.

The former was awarded Man of the Match on Friday, making 108 touches, creating two chances – the most of anyone on the pitch, one of which being an assist – maintained a passing accuracy of 93 per cent and won 83 per cent of his aerial battles.

The Scot had an unusually substandard game, registering a poor 23 per cent of ground duels won (3/13), as well as being dispossessed seven times. However, McGinn still managed to preserve an 85 per cent accurate pass rate and created the joint-most chances alongside his midfield partner.

Zaniolo could be the third change that Emery makes ahead of the trip to Old Trafford, forcing home his only shot on target against Sheffield United as an 81st-minute substitute.

Leon Bailey is expected to continue supporting the striker duo, who was denied a goal by VAR on Friday, unable to add to his eight goals and eight assists this season.

Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins will need to refresh ahead of the Man United fixture if either is to add any attacking threat to Villa’s frontline. The pair were limited to a single shot on target each at Villa Park by Sheffield United.

The former completed the most dribbles out of any player in the match but also failed with seven other dribbling attempts, meaning he recorded a 29 per cent dribble success. That will need to improve against the likes of Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Watkins is unlikely not to make the Aston Villa starting XI. Though, with the least touches of any outfield player to register 90 minutes on Friday night (21), Watkins will be hoping to make a bigger impact next weekend.

In other Aston Villa news, Ian Wright has waxed lyrical over a first-team player and has dubbed him “fantastic” after what he did recently.