Manchester United sits in fifth place in the English Premier League standings, with 55 points. They are just four points back of Leicester City, as the slumping Foxes now have 59 points, but Manchester United has a match in hand. The Red Devils are only five points behind third-place Chelsea, and getting into fourth place would move them from the UEFA Europa League to the Champions League for 2020-21. The EPL championship has already been decided, with Liverpool taking the title, but Man U has plenty of reasons to keep charging. Their next match involves a trip to Aston to take on a team swirling around the drain known as relegation. Aston Villa sits in 18th place with 27 points, tied with Bournemouth but holding a slight edge in goal differential. Finishing in 18th would mean a playoff with the third-place team from the English second division, an outcome that Aston Villa would love to avoid having to enter altogether. Can Aston Villa at least pry a point out of this match, or will the Red Devils take the win? Let’s see how the Premier League Odds will be for the Aston Villa vs United.
English Premier League: Aston Villa FC vs Manchester United (July 9)
- When: Thursday, July 9, 2020, 3:15 pm ET
- Where: Villa Park, Aston
- TV: NBC Sports
- Radio: None
- Live Stream: fuboTV
- Premier League Odds: Manchester United 1.38 / Draw 5.60 / Aston Villa 10.50
Why should you bet on Manchester United?
Manchester United just finished taking another relegation-zone team to the woodshed on Saturday, as they welcomed Bournemouth to Old Trafford and dealt out a 5-2 shellacking. The home side was shocked when Bournemouth took an early lead, as Junior Stanislas tallied in the 16th minute. Mason Greenwood brought the hosts level in the 29th minute, and then Marcus Rashford converted from the spot six minutes later to put the Red Devils ahead. Anthony Martial made it 3-1 in injury time at the end of the first half. Four minutes into the second half, Joshua King brought the visitors within 3-2 with a penalty kick, but Greenwood put an end to the drama by finishing his brace five minutes later. Bruno Fernandes put the game on ice with his goal in the 59th minute. Overall, though, way too much chaos ensued on the back end for the Red Devils against a basement dweller.
Manchester United surrendered two goals in the match despite possessing the ball for 72 percent of the game and outshooting Bournemouth, 19-6 (10-3 on target). Bournemouth committed a dozen fouls, to just three for the Red Devils. Man U forced eight corners, to just three for the visitors. Statistically, this match should have been even more of a laugher. If you like the Red Devils, you see them taking care of the defensive issues that emerged against Bournemouth.
Why should you put your money on Aston Villa?
Aston Villa found themselves in Liverpool on Sunday, taking on a team that had already clinched the championship. However, any Aston Villa fans who thought their team would be able to take advantage of some complacency on the part of the Reds were disappointed. The match was scoreless well into the second half, but then Sadio Mane scored for the hosts in the 71st minute, and Curtis Jones added the insurance tally with a minute left in the second half, giving Liverpool a 2-0 win.
Liverpool held the ball for 72 percent of the match, but Aston Villa led in shots, 8-7 (4-4 on target). Liverpool was the more physical team, committing 18 fouls to eight for the visitors. However, Liverpool was more than ready for the offense that Aston Villa brought, and they were able to take those three points easily. If you like Aston Villa against the Red Devils, you likely think that Man U will still show some of those defensive cracks, and Aston Villa will take advantage.
Aston Villa vs United Final Score Prediction
Manchester United has more to play for than Liverpool did in their last match, and Liverpool dealt easily with the challenge that Aston Villa brought. Man U does have some questions on defense, but I still see them winning, by the final score of 3-1.
