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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 24
Aston Villa v Manchester United
Villa Park
Birmingham, England
Sunday, 11 February 2024
Kick-off is at 18h30
Manchester United will be targeting three successive wins for only the second time this season when they travel to the West Midlands to face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday, February 11 in the late kick-off.
The Red Devils produced one of their best performances of the campaign as they beat West Ham 3-0 at Old Trafford on February 4 to make it back-to-back wins in the
Premier League.
Erik ten Hag's side climbed above the Hammers (7th) up to sixth place and they reduced the gap to Tottenham (5th) to six points after Spurs were held to a 2-2 draw by Everton at Goodison Park on February 3.
Villa moved up to fourth position themselves as they halted a two-game winless run with a 5-0 demolition of rock-bottom Sheffield United at Bramall Lane to stay three points behind Arsenal (3rd) and Manchester City (2nd), who defeated Liverpool and Brentford respectively on matchday 23.
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Brighton are just three points adrift of United in eighth spot after they returned to winning ways with a 4-1 triumph over Crystal palace at the Amex.
In team news, Villa head coach Unai Emery remains without long-term casualties Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings (both knee) and Jhon Duran, but Lucas Digne (thigh), Pau Torres (ankle), Nicolo Zaniolo and Douglas Luiz (illness) could come back into contention. United counterpart Ten Hag was dealt a massive blow with the news that Lisandro Martinez will be out for at least eight weeks after suffering a knee injury against West Ham. He joins Anthony Martial (groin) on the sidelines, although Tyrell Malacia (knee), Mason Mount and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (both leg) could return to the squad.
Emery was delighted to get a response from his players against the Blades after seeing their 17-match unbeaten home record come to an end at the hands of Newcastle one week prior.
"I'm very happy because we reacted very well after our defeat at home on Tuesday at Villa Park," the Spaniard said. "Even when we lost that match we were speaking afterwards about how the way we did at home was fantastic.
"We lost and it was coming. It was very important not to lose the focus, don't lose our objective and try to be consistent in our way; try to react quickly. Not everything we did was bad against Newcastle, but we had to keep being consistent like we were. Today our reaction was fantastic and the result was fantastic."
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Ten Hag believes the future is looking bright for United after Rasmus Hojlund scored four goals in his last four outings, while Alejandro Garnacho bagged brace against the Hammers to take his tally to five goals of the season.
"People must recognise the position we are in, we are Manchester United and we are building a team," the Dutchman said.
"We are getting players back, and that will now help us definitely, but are building a team. We signed young players and we are giving young players opportunities, like Rasmus Hojlund, Garnacho, [Kobbie] Mainoo, this is the process that goes with ups and downs.
"We must recognise that and the experienced players [Raphael] Varane, [Harry] Maguire, [Luke] Shaw they will help them to get over the line."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Aston Villa - 2
Manchester United - 2
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 24 fixtures:
Saturday, February 10
14h30: Manchester City v Everton
17h00: Fulham v Bournemouth
17h00: Liverpool v Burnley
17h00: Luton Town v Sheffield United
17h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton & Hove Albion
17h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brentford
19h30: Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United
Sunday, February 11
16h00: West Ham United v Arsenal
18h30: Aston Villa v Manchester United
Monday, February 12
22h00: Crystal Palace v Chelsea
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