Match preview for Manchester United v Aston Villa
The curtain comes down on a miserable season for Manchester United, who welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford on Sunday with nothing but pride to play for, just days after their Europa League final loss to Tottenham.
Villa, meanwhile, head into the final day with Champions League hopes still alive, albeit with their destiny out of their own hands.
They sit sixth – level on points with Chelsea and Newcastle – and know that anything less than a win could see them fall short.
Unai Emery’s side beat Tottenham 2-0 last time out and have won nine of their last 11 Premier League matches, including three straight clean sheets.
In contrast, Ruben Amorim’s United have failed to win any of their last eight league fixtures and are enduring their worst top-flight campaign in over 50 years, sitting 16th with a club-record 18 defeats.
The hosts have been poor at home all season, losing nine times at Old Trafford, and their disjointed, injury-hit squad may struggle to match Villa’s intensity and purpose.
However, Villa’s own final-day away record is historically poor, winning just once in their last 26 such fixtures, which could offer United a glimmer of hope to end their nightmare campaign on a slightly less sour note.
Focused on Sunday’s task 👊 pic.twitter.com/14JgbrWSRf
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 23, 2025
Team news for Manchester United v Aston Villa
Lisandro Martinez remains sidelined with a knee injury, and Matthijs de Ligt is doubtful after missing the last four matches. The likes of Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot, and Joshua Zirkzee featured in the Europa League final and could be involved again.
Ruben Amorim may opt for some changes, with Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Manuel Ugarte among those pushing for starts.
Marcus Rashford is ruled out due to a hamstring issue and is also ineligible to play against his parent club. Youri Tielemans remains a major doubt with a calf problem, but Jacob Ramsey returns from suspension and could replace John McGinn or Marco Asensio in midfield.
Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa are expected to retain their spots in defence, while Emiliano Martinez, heavily linked with a summer move to Saudi Arabia, is set to start what could be his final match for the club.
Expected line-ups for Manchester United v Aston Villa
Manchester United: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Diallo, Garnacho; Zirkzee
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Rogers, Asensio, McGinn; Watkins
How to watch Manchester United v Aston Villa: TV channel, online stream
Manchester United v Aston Villa kicks off at 4pm on Sunday and is available to watch TNT Sports 1 or on the discovery+ app.
The stats for Manchester United v Aston Villa
Man United have lost 18 Premier League games this season — their worst top-flight record since 1973–74.The Red Devils have lost 9 home matches in the league — equalling a club record for a single campaign.Aston Villa have won 9 of their last 11 Premier League matches, conceding just four goals in that stretch.Villa have kept clean sheets in four of their last five away league matches.The sides played out a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture in October.Villa are winless in 25 of their last 26 final-day away league fixtures (W1 D7 L18).United have won three of their last four league meetings with Villa.Villa’s top-five fate depends on Newcastle or Chelsea slipping up — or Manchester City losing at Fulham.
Unite and fight 💪#MUFC || #UELfinal
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 21, 2025
Prediction
Motivation will be sky-high for Aston Villa, who know only a win gives them a chance of Champions League football. United, on the other hand, are coming off a deflating cup final loss and have nothing but damage control left to salvage from a dire season.
Manchester United 0-2 Aston Villa
