Manchester United will be looking to get back to winning ways against Aston Villa in the Premier League after drawing with Tottenham on Thursday night.
Erik ten Hag's side drew 2-2 with the London outfit in midweek, but still find themselves in a good position to secure Champions League football for next campaign. United welcome an in-form Villa side to Old Trafford knowing they can increase the gap between themselves and Unai Emery's men in the top-flight table.
Alejandro Garnacho trained on Friday afternoon as he prepares for his comeback after missing the last seven weeks with an ankle injury. However, the Reds remain without first-choice centre-back pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, who are both sidelined.
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The Reds face a tough test against Villa on Sunday, with the Midlands outfit having impressed under Emery in recent weeks. Ahead of the clash, MEN Sport looked at their team news, recent form and key players...
Aston Villa team news
Having not lost since February 18, Emery is unlikely to make any drastic changes to his usual line-up. Villa secured a 1-0 victory over Fulham in midweek, with defender Tyrone Mings on target. The form of Villa has been even more impressive considering they are without several first-team stars.
During his pre-United press conference, the Villa boss confirmed he would have the exact same squad at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, Philippe Coutinho and Leon Bailey all still out injured. However, he admitted the quartet are closing in on their respective returns.
Villa typically set-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, somewhat akin to United's. Their starting XI could be: Martinez; Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno; Dendoncker, Luiz; McGinn, Buendia, Ramsey; Watkins.
Recent form
In their last five league games, Villa have recorded four wins and one draw. Prior to their victory over Fulham on Tuesday night, they drew with Brentford and managed victories over Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Leicester.
Since Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager, the Midlands club have won 13 of the 20 Premier League matches he has taken charge of.
Key players
Villa's key man is undoubtedly Ollie Watkins. The England striker has been in electric form in recent months and has registered 15 goals and six assists in 35 appearances this term. The 27-year-old, who has scored two goals for the Three Lions, has scored just once against United in his career.
Meanwhile, World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez has also enjoyed a good season so far and will be looking to record his 12th clean sheet of the campaign against United on Sunday. The goalkeeper has been one of Villa's most consistent performers, with youngster Jacob Ramsey also performing well.
United team news and form
The return to fitness of Garnacho comes as a major boost to United, but Harry Maguire was absent from the matchday squad in midweek and it remains unclear if he will return at the weekend. Given that both Martinez and Varane are out, Luke Shaw is expected to partner Victor Lindelof at the heart of defence once again.
The Reds' likely starting XI is: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Sancho.
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