---
title: "Match Preview | Manchester United vs Aston Villa"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/04/15/match-preview-manchester-united-vs-aston-villa/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ed Payne"
section: "Aston Villa Match Previews"
published: "2016-04-15T00:04:36Z"
modified: "2016-04-15T00:06:03Z"
---

# Match Preview | Manchester United vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa travel north on Saturday to face Manchester United on Saturday, knowing anything other than an unlikely win will see relegation to the Championship confirmed.

Villa’s last outing came against Bournemouth at Villa Park and saw Villa lose their eighth consecutive game. The scoreline of 2-1 was kind on Villa, who failed to pose any sort of threat all game whilst Bournemouth had numerous chances to extend their lead before Jordan Ayew pulled a goal back in the dying moments. It was only due to Crystal Palace beating Norwich that Villa’s relegation to the second tier of English football wasn’t confirmed last weekend.

![Mark Thompson/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/04/519983450.jpg)

The team news for the trip to Old Trafford is that club captain Gabby Agbonlahor once again misses out. Agbonlahor, who missed the defeat to Chelsea due to being suspended whilst an internal investigation was carried out and the defeat to Bournemouth with a virus, once again misses out after Eric Black put him on a special fitness regime for two weeks, with Black [stating](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3540038/Gabriel-Agbonlahor-ruled-Manchester-United-clash-Aston-Villa-star-personal-two-week-fitness-programme.html) that Agbonlahor is not at a level he can contribute at.

The other team news for Villa is that Jack Grealish and Adama Traore are expected to start, with both having got more minutes under the belt during the midweek U-21 win over West Ham U-21.

Manchester United have been undergoing their own problems this season, with Louis Van Gaal’s side currently struggling to make the top four. Despite another summer of lavish spending, Van Gaal’s side have fallen off the pace and their inconsistent displays from November onwards have left them five points behind Manchester City with a Champions League place now seeming like a distant possibility.

However, the emergence of Marcus Rashford from the club’s academy alongside summer signing Anthony Martial has given many of their supporters hope for the future.

![Paul Gilham/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/04/520921618.jpg)

The team news for United is that Wayne Rooney is likely to remain on the bench for the hosts, with Rooney having only made his comeback after a two-month injury lay-off on Wednesday and with the continuing impressive form of United’s current forward line, it has made it more difficult for the underperforming captain to find a place in the team.

Despite Manchester United’s inconsistent form this season, they should easily see off a Villa side which has not won away from home since the opening day of the season.

***Score Prediction***

Manchester United 5-0 Aston Villa

What are your score predictions for Saturday’s game?