Aston Villa

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Man Utd and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Rob: At 1-1 I was worried, but credit to Bruno as usual, plus Cunha who I thought worked tirelessly in the second half and took his goal so well. I'd quite like to see Carrick be a bit more animated and vocal on the touchline though, ordering his players about more - it's what the top class managers like Pep and Klopp seem to do to good effect.

Geoff: On occasion United oozed class. Unfortunately they still refuse to put their opponents "to the sword " once they secure a lead- hence Villa's equaliser which arrived out of United's sloppiness.

Dave: Some more precise play, resilient tackling, good defending, and great understanding between Fernandes and Casemiro. An overall better performance. Still need to improve regular tempo against teams parking the bus though!

Bob: Who'd have thought it? A team that a few months ago looked afraid of it's own shadow now playing (almost) free flowing football. Fortunately our relaxed schedule of matches has hardly exposed the complete lack of squad depth. Hopefully some of our superb youngsters can step up next season. Oh and Carrick should be given the job.

Aston Villa fans

Tom: We looked solid and compact but too many times the ball went up to Rogers, Watkins or Buendia and it just came straight back. There was no fluidity in attack and as soon as we concede, space opens up at the back and we concede more. Either Unai needs to realise those players need a break to recharge or contemplate, or we will stutter and falter to a mediocre league position and struggle in Europe.

Matt: Was always going to be tough game after the European shift we put in on Thursday night. Man Utd's fresh legs and £250million attack proved the difference. Disappointed to see Tammy not start. It was on the cards we'd lose today, so why not rotate the squad and have key players fresh for 2nd leg against Lille. McGinn was great again. Watkins very disappointing again. UTV. Keep fighting lads.

Ian: Well today's result is not really any surprise. First half fairly even, second half we were second best and didn't defend as well as we can. It's our lack of guile and finishing in the final third that is costing us, we now have eight league games to put things right and let's hope it's not goal difference again that costs us Champions League. As I have said before, maybe our route to Champions League will be the Europa League.

Mossy: It's plain to see, look at the top four now, very familiar isn't it! The big clubs with the biggest squads, Villa looked toothless up front today, lots of build up play and possession but no idea what to do in front of goal. We played okay but got dissected twice very easily and conceded two goals very quickly. I think we need a big re-build and a freshen up. Top six will be a huge achievement now, all in for the Europa League is a must now.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds

• Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham

• Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The return of captain John McGinn to the visitors' starting XI was clearly welcome news for boss Unai Emery, although it was not entirely clear what role the Scot would play in the pre-planned tactic of sending long balls downfield for Ollie Watkins to chase.

It was an idea that might have had some merit if Watkins had got involved in foot races with Harry Maguire.

As it was Leny Yoro had more than enough pace to neutralise the England striker and Villa did not get forward in enough numbers to provide support.

Watkins' one shooting chance before the break was also shut down by Yoro who came sliding across to tackle.

It was symptomatic of the muddle Villa have got themselves into in recent weeks.

So too the moment at the end, where three visiting players had an opportunity to score around the six-yard area and somehow failed, even though United only had one defender and goalkeeper Senne Lammens in their way.

Emery can point to injuries - and the weight of games - as mitigation for their faltering form.

But after losing out on a Champions League place thanks to a final-day defeat at Old Trafford last season, there has to be a fear that, despite the failing of others, they could miss out again this term.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their defeat by Man Utd: "Bad result. We played 90 minutes trying to continue in our mentality and the good form we had in Lille, but today was a huge challenge. The first half was equal. Second half we started poor, they dominated more and we needed to react and try to get control of the game."

On if mistakes are costing his team: "Yes. This is the key. When you can keep the ball and try to stop them with the ball, it's like we want. In 90 minutes a lot of things happen, some we did fantastic and some we missed momentum. Overall we needed to play smart with our idea.

"Manchester United are at a high level and to face them today was a huge challenge for us. We are competing and were with the same points, today we finish three points behind them. Keep going, we must use the points we had before to try to keep going, keep fighting and keep recovering tactically and with confidence."

You can also listen to Emery speaking to BBC Radio WM on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have lost three consecutive Premier League games, their longest run since February 2023. It's as many defeats as they had suffered in their 17 previous league matches prior (W11 D3 L3).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Man Utd's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Michael Carrick makes two changes to the Manchester United side that lost at Newcastle last time out.

Amad Diallo replaces Benjamin Sesko in attack, while Diogo Dalot comes in for Noussair Mazraoui.

Sesko and Mazraoui are both on the bench, where they are joined by Mason Mount, who has missed six games due to injury.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.

Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko, T Fletcher.

Aston Villa captain John McGinn starts for the first time since injuring his knee against Everton on 18 January, while Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley are also included as Unai Emery makes three changes from the midweek Europa League win at Lille.

On-loan Jadon Sancho misses out as he is not allowed to play against his parent club. Douglas Luiz and Pau Torres drop to the bench.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogarde, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Onana, Barkley, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Elliott, Torres, Andres Garcia, Abraham, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen, Bailey.

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Man Utd v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Liverpool v Tottenham (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Leeds" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Spurs", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This is third versus fourth going into this round of matches, and it feels big for both teams' seasons.

It is important for Michael Carrick that he gets back on track after suffering his first defeat as United manager, to 10-man Newcastle.

The wheels have come off for Aston Villa in a big way and Unai Emery was obviously right when he was so negative about his side's title hopes.

It's hard to make a case for Villa because they look really flat. They started the season poorly, and it looks like they are going to finish it poorly too.

Villa won 2-1 when they met before Christmas. Let's go for a reverse of that scoreline.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United go in search of a fifth consecutive home win against an Aston Villa side also targeting Champions League qualification. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 GMT).

Fernandes on cusp of assist record

Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle last week was their first in the Premier League since losing to Villa before Christmas, and ended Michael Carrick's unbeaten record as boss. But while Villa face a quick turnaround following their Europa League win on Thursday, United have had 10 days to digest the lessons from St James' Park and prepare for this fixture.

Carrick has won all five of his top-flight games as a manager at Old Trafford, including one as caretaker in 2021. Victory on Sunday would mean he joins an elite list of men to win each of their opening six matches as a Premier League boss, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson, Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini.

If Carrick is to add his name to that list then captain Bruno Fernandes will, as usual, have to play a key role. His goals and assists have already been worth a combined 23 points this season.

The 31-year-old, who created Casemiro's goal against Newcastle last time out, has 14 Premier League assists this term. That is one short of the record by a United player in a campaign, set by David Beckham 26 years ago.

Villa return to scene of painful defeat

Aston Villa's hopes of Champions League qualification ended at Old Trafford on the final day of last season, with Unai Emery's side controversially beaten 2-0.

Villa complained to referees' body PGMOL after Morgan Rogers had an opening goal disallowed for kicking the ball out of Altay Bayindir's hands. TV replays suggested the goalkeeper may not have been in control, but because referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle before Rogers scored, VAR was unable to review the decision.

Villa's chances of returning to the Champions League next season have been dented by inconsistent form since the turn of the year, with just two victories from their past nine top-flight matches. They have also lost back-to-back league games against Wolves and Chelsea, although they did beat Lille on Thursday – making them the only one of the Premier League's nine European representatives to win this week. The result also brought up Emery's 100th victory in charge.

John McGinn returned at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after two months out injured but Villa remain without Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans. The Villans have not won a league game this season without at least one of those three key midfielders in their starting line-up.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa return to the scene of last season's heartbreak.

May's final day defeat at Manchester United denied them a return to the Champions League which would have eased a number of their financial issues.

Emi Martinez's red card, Morgan Rogers' controversial disallowed goal and two late United goals dealt a cruel late blow.

Now they head to Old Trafford on Sunday needing victory to get their faltering Champions League challenge back on track.

Thursday's 1-0 Europa League win at Lille gave Villa the edge in their last-16 tie but there is no escaping the Premier League form.

Two wins in their last nine games has seen United overtake them and left Chelsea just three points behind in fifth, following the Blues' 4-1 win at Villa Park earlier this month.

Villa are still in a strong position - and John McGinn's return from injury on Thursday is a further boost - but the need to regain composure in the league is increasingly vital.

"It was such an emotional match," said Emery, recalling last May. "In losing, our emotions were bad. When we are losing we must learn how we are playing, how we are responding.

"The referees' mistake [in disallowing Rogers' goal] was very important, sometimes it's not in our hands. We are ready and motivated. We are in the Premier League fighting for the top position."

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

With fifth place likely to lead to Champions League qualification again, just three points separate Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool for a place in the top five, with one of those sides looking set to miss out.

Some would say Villa have the easiest run-in of the quartet. After a tough trip to Old Trafford this weekend, they face four of the bottom six in their next six games, although whether playing sides fighting for survival is an advantage at this stage is debatable.

Liverpool are the team currently outside the top five. They have the chance to build momentum against a run of mid-table sides before tackling a daunting series of games in May, when they play all three of their Champions League-chasing rivals in succession.

A couple of months ago, Aston Villa looked almost nailed on for a top-five finish as they sat at least eight points clear of the other three teams despite their underlying numbers being much worse.

They were even portrayed as possible title contenders, but a spate of injuries to key players and a drying-up of the xG-defying screamers they scored from outside the box earlier in the season allowed their rivals to make up ground.

Read more here

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed Matty Cash is "progressing well" and will be assessed on Saturday to see if he can be available for the match. Ross Barkley and Alysson can be in contention with them not included in the European squad, while Boubacar Kamara remains out and Youri Tielemans is also progressing but "there's still time to work individually to join us".

• The Villa boss acknowledged reaching 100 wins as manager but insisted they are "in a new chapter" now and "everything we did is done and we need to do again" as they look to take advantage in the race for Champions League spots when they face Manchester United.

• More on facing Sunday's opponents: "It's a really huge challenge, but analysing how we are in the table overall, we are fourth with the same points as Manchester United with 51 and they are third. Sunday is [matchday] 30 and there are still points to play for, a lot of points to play for. There are still matches to play, and we are so, so motivated in the two competitions we are fighting in."

• After facing United in the final game last season, where they lost 2-0 with 10 men, Emery said it was "an emotional match" but "everything we are doing, we must be proud of it". He added: "We are ready and we are motivated. We are in the Premier League fighting for the top position. It's very important to try to face them with our capacity to play like we played [against Lille], the same mentality."

• On the importance of support from fans: "It's very important how we are feeling with them. In Europe, as well, they are motivated and excited, like how they were following us in Lille. We need them, clearly, and the players thanked them [on Thursday], thanked them through the season, and hopefully we will feel them on Sunday."

• Emery praised Lamare Bogarde's "versatility" and added: "Each match for him is a challenge, and he played a fantastic match [against Lille]. On Sunday, in case he will play... hopefully we can help him to play like he did in the last match."

• He feels striker Ollie Watkins' "confidence is coming" after his Europa League goal: "He needs to feel our support, he needs to feel the supporters' help and we are trying to do with every player the same help. Everything he's doing and achieving is because he's a fighter."

Listen to full commentary of Manchester United v Aston Villa on Sunday from 14:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Aston Villa? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg between Lille and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: A good away win for Villa. Still issues in the final third creating chances. Overall, a much better performance than against Wolves and Chelsea, and will give them more confidence.

Mossy: Got to be happy with a clean sheet and a goal advantage going back to Villa Park, but we should have scored more and let's hope we don't rue the several good chances to bury the tie. I know Ollie Watkins scored but he really does like to take another touch, which is normally too heavy or too much. He's better with his head. Tough place to get a result and they will be happy with it. On to Old Trafford for a massive game next. UTV!

Ian: Very solid and professional performance, but would have liked to see us a bit more clinical in the final third and we need to move the ball a little quicker. Good to see John McGinn back and hopefully he can play bigger role at the weekend. If we can get decent result against Manchester United and finish the job against Lille it would set us up very nicely for the run-in. Keep the faith!

Robert: A decent performance and result that sets us up nicely for the second leg, capped off by the return of McGinn, which bodes well for the run-in. Villa continued to be wasteful in the final third and Ollie should have had at least one more, but I can't complain - a win is a win and we were desperate for one.

Martin: We defended as a team and wanted to calm the game down when needed. If Watkins didn't score the fans would have wanted him out for Tammy Abraham, but he showed up and got us the all-important goal. Still thought Emery picked the wrong team with players like Jadon Sancho, Emi Buendia and, partly, Watkins. Having McGinn back was brilliant as we've got a tough few weeks coming up and he'll be needed every game. Overall, a reassuring performance from the Villans.

Steven Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's decision to go for Unai Emery four years ago was a sign of their ambition to make a mark on the European stage.

While they are still well placed in fourth position in the English top flight, as they aim to secure a Champions League berth next term, success in the Europa League would also deliver the same outcome.

However, on Thursday it was just about recapturing their rhythm and some confidence after a winless run of four games domestically that included defeats to Newcastle, Chelsea and bottom club Wolves.

Speaking to TNT Sports, returning captain John McGinn suggested that the result had provided Villa with a "building block" and the opportunity to "reset" after a difficult few weeks.

"We needed a reset. The past month has not been great," he said.

"We can't dwell on it. We can learn from it but what we need to do is build and this is a building block. We know we can do a lot better but it is a good result.

"We showed signs of getting back to our best but there's still a long way to go. Sunday is a massive game in the league as well [at third-placed Manchester United] so it is a tough run of fixtures, but that was a good start.

Meanwhile, Emery said he used the struggles of their Premier League rivals in the Champions League as a motivational tool before kick-off.

He said: "We respect this competition because we know the difficulties of each match away from home in Europe.

"We know how it is for the English teams, like this week in the Champions League, how they were struggling."

Read more Villa analysis

Steve Hermon
BBC Radio WM reporter in Lille

It was nowhere near as dramatic as the last encounter between the two sides in northern France, but it didn't need to be.

This was an efficient away performance that gives Aston Villa an advantage to take back to Villa Park.

While it wasn't spectacular, it was significant for several reasons.

First, Ollie Watkins is back among the goals in Europe after an inexplicable 14‑month drought.

He had also scored only once in his previous 12 appearances in all competitions, so his headed effort to seal the first‑leg victory will be a major boost to his confidence.

Goalkeeper Emi Martinez - jeered throughout the night by the home fans - will have enjoyed keeping a clean sheet, while the return of captain John McGinn from injury is equally important.

Villa have missed the Scot's tenacity and quality in the heart of midfield, and he showed glimpses of both during his brief cameo off the bench.

It was also Unai Emery's 100th win as Aston Villa boss, and I asked him afterwards whether the milestone meant anything to him.

The four‑time Europa League winner simply replied: "It's done."

Emery is not a man for looking back. I'm not sure I've ever met anyone with more drive or desire.

He is already fully focused on their next match - and with good reason, as it carries huge implications for their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via the Premier League when they travel to Manchester United on Sunday.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to TNT Sports after the 1-0 win over Lille: "We played a very serious match, [we were] organised, respecting the competition and we know how difficult this match is in Europe, playing in other countries with the atmosphere they have here.

"For them to play an English team you can feel it a little bit – a huge motivation for the opponent.

"We have our experience here two years ago. We prepared and planned this match to have all those circumstances under our control. We started the match trying to test how they were tactically and we were more or less getting better. The first half was equal but I think we dominated more with the positioning.

"Second half we started very good, scoring the goal and having other chances to score. We were comfortable and confident. We played always with being organised as the first demand."

On Ollie Watkins: "He is working and being consistent with his task. Of course he's scoring, but we need more numbers with the other players. The most important thing is how we played a serious match, always expecting everything and with our gameplan to play strongly for 90 minutes."

You can listen to more from Emery on BBC Sounds

Steven Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa defeated Lille on the way to the Conference League semi-finals in 2024 and reached the Champions League quarter-finals last term.

And on the evidence of this season, continental glory may well be a realistic prospect for the former European champions.

Not only was this Villa's first win in France at the seventh attempt, but it was also a professional display from a team without key personnel, like the injured Matty Cash and Youri Tielemans.

The return of captain John McGinn - fit enough to make the bench after being sidelined with a knee problem since 18 January - was also a welcome sight with the business end of the season approaching.

In recent weeks manager Unai Emery has outlined the need to restore structure to his team after domestic defeats by Newcastle, Wolves and Chelsea.

With Lamare Bogarde ably deputising for Matty Cash, and Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa giving little away defensively, that was evident as they limited Lille to very few promising positions.

And once Ollie Watkins scored to inject further belief, the visitors very much resembled the team that won seven of their eight league-phase fixtures and climbed as high as third in the Premier League.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Forward Olivier Giroud returns as Lille make three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Lorient in Ligue 1 last weekend.

Chancel Mbemba comes into the back four and Ngal'Ayel Mukau also starts in midfield for the French side.

Lille XI: Ozer, Santos, Mbemba, Mandi, Perraud, Mukau, Andre, Bentaleb, Perrin, Giroud, Arnar Haraldsson.

Subs: Bodart, Lanssade, Ngoy, Alexsandro Victor, Fernandez, Meunier, Edjouma, Verdonk, Correia, Bouaddi, Diaoune, Boussadia.

Aston Villa make four changes from the side that started their 4-1 Premier League defeat by Chelsea eight days ago.

Lucas Digne, Pau Torres, Lamare Bogarde and Jadon Sancho all come in, replacing Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen and Leon Bailey. Captain John McGinn is on the bench after being sidelined since the middle of January.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Luiz, Onana, Rogers, Sancho, Buendia, Watkins.

Subs: Wright, Bizot, Lindelöf, Mings, Garcia, Maatsen, McGinn, Bailey, Elliott, Abraham

There are eight games in the Europa League on Thursday as the first legs of the last-16 ties take place, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Lille v Aston Villa (17:45)

• Bologna v Roma (17:45)

• Panathinaikos v Real Betis (17:45)

• Stuttgart v Porto (17:45)

• Celta Vigo v Lyon

• Ferencvaros v Sporting Braga

• Genk v Freiburg

• Nottingham Forest v Midtjylland

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Aston Villa will rival Arsenal for the signature of Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Julian Brandt, 29, who will become a free agent this summer. (Football Insider)., external

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