Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Will Unai Emery be in charge at Villa Park on Sunday?

Manchester United will be hoping to continue their excellent recent form when they face Aston Villa on Sunday in the Premier League.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in five in the league, a run that has included games against three of the current top six. They’ll have high hopes of extending that purple patch at Villa Park, a ground where United have not lost in the league since 1995, on a day Alan Hansen famously claimed the Red Devils wouldn’t ‘win anything with kids’.

But Villa fans will be hoping for a new manager bounce on Sunday. The Midlands club recently announced the appointment of Unai Emery as Steven Gerrard’s permanent replacement, although due to visa issues he couldn’t start his role until 1 November, meaning Aaron Danks was in charge for last week’s 4-0 loss away to Newcastle United.

Emery took training on Wednesday and posted on Instagram to say: “Day I. Big challenge ahead. As big as the greatness of @avfcofficial.” The Spaniard is best known in England for his time in charge of Arsenal, managing 78 games before he was sacked in November 2019.

Emery has faced United nine times in his career and lost twice with Villarreal against the Red Devils last term in the Champions League group stage. However, the 51-year-old also guided the Yellow Submarine to a victory over United in the 2021 Europa League final, a match that was settled on penalties.

From the nine previous encounters, including two matches as Valencia manager in 2010/11, Emery has won just twice against United, has drawn three and lost four. Sunday’s game between Villa and United kicks-off at 2pm.