Manchester United finally remembered how to win a football match on Wednesday night. Unfortunately for Michael Carrick, the Premier League table still remembers everything that happened before it.

A remarkable 3-2 comeback against Roma ended United’s nine-match winless run in all competitions, with Matheus Cunha completing the turnaround after the hosts had trailed 2-0.

Old Trafford was rocking by the final whistle. Whether that result marks the beginning of a revival or merely delays another uncomfortable conversation about Carrick’s future is a different question.

United haven’t won a Premier League match since August. Their latest domestic outing ended in a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, following an embarrassing 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.

One league victory from nine matches is relegation form, regardless of the badge on the shirt.

Aston Villa arrive with a rather different set of problems.

Unai Emery’s side are unbeaten in five Premier League matches, collecting three victories during that run. However, their European performances have been considerably less convincing.

Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona exposed Villa’s defensive weaknesses, while a 3-0 loss at Bournemouth and a 1-1 draw with Fulham have interrupted their domestic momentum.

Villa sit 10th with 12 points, four ahead of United, but neither side has looked particularly reliable in recent weeks.

The visitors have one obvious advantage: Nicolas Jackson.

The former Chelsea striker has scored five Premier League goals in eight appearances, and his pace could be particularly troublesome against a United defence missing Lisandro Martínez.

Carrick will hope Wednesday’s comeback has restored some belief. Emery, meanwhile, will see an opportunity to punish a team that has spent much of the season finding increasingly inventive ways to lose.

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What are the best betting tips for Manchester United vs Aston Villa?

Aston Villa to win and both teams to score

United’s comeback against Roma was impressive, but one dramatic European victory cannot erase two months of poor Premier League performances.

Carrick’s side have conceded seven goals in their last three domestic matches, including three against Bournemouth at Old Trafford. With Martínez suspended and Carlos Baleba injured, United’s defensive structure is unlikely to be at full strength.

Villa have the attacking quality to exploit those weaknesses. Jackson’s movement behind the defensive line should stretch United’s centre-backs, while John McGinn and Leon Goretzka can support attacks from midfield.

However, Villa have their own defensive problems. Barcelona scored three against them on Wednesday, and Bournemouth managed the same in their previous away league fixture.

United should create chances through Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha, particularly with Villa missing Matty Cash.

An away victory with both teams scoring is a riskier selection than Villa draw no bet, but the defensive records make it a reasonable option for anyone expecting an open contest.

Nicolas Jackson to score anytime

Jackson has made an excellent start to life at Aston Villa, scoring five goals in eight Premier League appearances.

Perhaps the most interesting statistic is his efficiency. According to FotMob, those five goals have come from just 2.31 expected goals, suggesting the striker has been converting opportunities at an impressive rate.

That level of finishing may be difficult to maintain, but his movement should cause problems for United’s makeshift defence.

With Martínez suspended, Carrick must reorganise his back line. Jackson’s willingness to run into the channels could force United’s centre-backs into uncomfortable situations, particularly when Villa recover possession in midfield.

There is a risk that Villa struggle to create chances, as they did against Barcelona. However, Jackson’s current form makes him an appealing goalscorer selection rather than simply relying on Villa’s match result.

Bryan Mbeumo 2+ shots on target

United’s attacking performances have been inconsistent, but Mbeumo remains one of their most reliable sources of goal threat.

The forward has scored four Premier League goals in nine appearances, generating 4.24 expected goals. Unlike some of United’s other attackers, his scoring return is broadly supported by the quality of chances he receives.

With Benjamin Šeško sidelined, Mbeumo is expected to lead the attack. That should put him in central positions rather than relying entirely on opportunities from the right flank.

Villa’s defensive absences could help. Cash is suspended, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri are injured, potentially forcing Emery into another reshuffle.

Two shots on target is a demanding line, especially for a United side that has struggled to create consistently. However, the possibility of an open game and Mbeumo’s central role make it a more interesting player market than simply backing him to register one attempt.

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How to watch Manchester United vs Aston Villa

• Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026

• Kick-off: 4:30pm GMT

• Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 10

• Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester

• UK TV: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Go and NOW

• USA: USA Network and Telemundo

• Canada: DAZN and Fubo

The match is the final Premier League fixture before the November international break.

Manchester United predicted lineup and team news

Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Mazraoui, Dalot; Tielemans, Andrey Santos; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

Michael Carrick faces another defensive reshuffle after Lisandro Martínez received a red card against Chelsea. The Argentine is suspended, while Luke Shaw remains a fitness concern. Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro are expected to feature in a back four that has struggled for consistency.

Carlos Baleba suffered a hamstring injury against Roma and is unlikely to feature. Manuel Ugarte is also sidelined, leaving Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos as potential midfield partners. Tielemans could face his former club.

Benjamin Šeško remains unavailable with a leg injury, while Marcus Rashford and Patrick Dorgu are working towards fitness. Mbeumo should lead the attack, supported by Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha.

Shea Lacey is another player worth watching. The youngster impressed against Roma and could earn more minutes after helping change the momentum of Wednesday’s victory.

Aston Villa predicted lineup and team news

Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Suzuki; Bogarde, Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Goretzka; Alysson, McGinn, Manzambi; Jackson.

Unai Emery must make changes following Villa’s Champions League defeat at Barcelona. Matty Cash is suspended, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is struggling with a hamstring injury. Lamare Bogarde could therefore be required at right-back.

Amadou Onana remains sidelined with a serious knee injury, and Matteo Ruggeri is also unavailable. Ian Maatsen should continue at left-back, with Boubacar Kamara and Leon Goretzka providing protection in midfield.

Nicolas Jackson is expected to lead the attack after scoring five goals in his first eight league appearances. John McGinn should operate behind him, while Alysson and Johan Manzambi offer energy and movement in the wide positions.

Ross Barkley is another option if Emery wants additional experience. The Villa manager may rotate following Wednesday’s European defeat, although his side have had an extra day to recover compared with United.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa stats

• Manchester United have won just one of their opening nine Premier League matches.

• United are without a league victory since August.

• Carrick’s side were winless in nine matches across all competitions before beating Roma.

• United overturned a 2-0 deficit to defeat Roma 3-2 on Wednesday.

• United have scored 10 Premier League goals this season.

• Bryan Mbeumo is their leading league scorer with four goals.

• Mbeumo has generated 4.24 expected goals in nine league appearances.

• United have conceded seven goals across their last three Premier League matches.

• Aston Villa sit 10th with 12 points from nine matches.

• Villa have won three, drawn three and lost three league games.

• Emery’s side are unbeaten in their previous five Premier League fixtures.

• Villa have scored 10 league goals this season.

• Nicolas Jackson has scored five goals in eight league appearances.

• Jackson’s five goals have come from 2.31 expected goals.

• Villa lost 3-0 at Barcelona in Wednesday’s Champions League fixture.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa prediction

United’s victory against Roma should give Carrick’s players some much-needed confidence, but there is still little evidence that their Premier League problems have been resolved.

United have been too easy to play against, particularly when opponents attack quickly through midfield. The absence of Martínez and Baleba only adds to those concerns.

Villa are capable of exploiting that vulnerability. Jackson’s movement could prove decisive, while McGinn and Goretzka offer the experience needed to compete in a difficult away fixture.

However, Emery’s side have also shown defensive weaknesses. Their heavy defeats against Bournemouth and Barcelona suggest United should have opportunities of their own.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford could play a part, especially if United carry Wednesday’s momentum into the opening stages. Fernandes and Cunha have enough quality to create problems for Villa’s reshuffled defence.

Nevertheless, Villa have been the more consistent Premier League side recently. Their unbeaten domestic run contrasts sharply with United’s prolonged struggles.

This looks like a fixture where both sides could score, but Villa’s attacking movement and Jackson’s finishing give the visitors a narrow advantage.

Score prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa

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