Man United Women vs Aston Villa: Is the match on TV? Plus team news, Old Trafford kick-off time & prediction

Manchester United Women will welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon in Women’s Super League action. This will be only the second time the Red Devils’ women’s team will play at the stadium since they were formed in 2018.

Marc Skinner’s side have been in impressive form so far this season, winning six of their opening seven league games. United sit third in the WSL table and have conceded the second least goals in the division (5). The Red Devils come into the game on the back of a dramatic 3-2 victory over Arsenal on 19 November. Ella Toone scored in the first half for Skinner’s team, but fell behind after the Gunners’ Frida Maanum and Laura Wienroither netted after the break. However, United showed resilience with Millie Turner and Alessia Russo scoring late to secure United all three points.

As for Villa, they have had a steady start to the campaign, winning four of their opening seven league games, including an opening day victory over Manchester City. Carla Ward’s team beat Reading 3-1 in their last match thanks to a Rachel Daly hat-trick. Saturday’s game will be the second meeting between the clubs this season with the other coming in the group stage of the League Cup. Villa were victorious that day, but are expected to face a stronger Red Devils starting XI on the weekend.

When is the match?

The game takes place on Saturday 3 December at Old Trafford and kick-off is 12:30pm.

How to watch on TV

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports main event and Sky Sports Premier League with covers beginning at 12pm. A Sky subscription will be required to watch the fixture.

Match referee

Louise Saunders will take charge of the game and this will be his first WSL match involving United, but her fourth overseeing Villa. The official refereed the latter’s 4-3 win against City on 18 September - she handed out no bookings during the fixture. Saunders will be assisted at Old Trafford by Lucy Briggs and Abby Dearden, while Antony Backhouse will be on fourth official duty.

Team news

Aoife Mannion will be the only absentee for Skinner’s side on Saturday. The defender suffered an ACL injury in January and is looking to return for United in the new year.

Ona Battle returned to the starting XI against Arsenal in place of Maria Thorisdottir. The full-back was the only change Skinner made from the Red Devils’ 3-1 defeat to Chelsea two weeks prior.

United are expected to line up in their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation against Villa. Skinner could also opt for a 4-1-4-1 shape, dropping Toone into a deeper role rather than playing behind the striker.

As for Villa, Ward will be without Meaghan Sargeant, Remi Allen, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Tash Harding, Simone Magill and Evie Rabjohn, who all have long-term injuries. However, Emily Gielnik is in contention to feature after returning from a calf injury.

Elsewhere, Kirsty Hanson won’t make an appearance for the visitors. The Scotland international is ineligible for the game due to being on loan from United.

Prediction

Despite the two-week break from domestic football, Skinner’s side will be raring to go at Old Trafford. The occasion will be a huge one for the team, with it expected they’ll break their previous attendance record at the ground set last season.

United’s impressive form this campaign leads to them being the favourites on Saturday. However, Villa won’t make it easy for the home side. Daly is more than capable of causing the Red Devils’ defence problems.

Our prediction: United 2-1 Villa