Manchester United have their lift from Europe. Now they need the league win to go with it. Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on Sunday with United still searching for their first Premier League victory since August, despite Tuesday’s stirring 3–2 comeback against Roma.
Kick-off is at 16:30 GMT. Villa arrive after a very different European night — a 3–0 defeat at Barcelona — but their league form gives United plenty to worry about.
One big night is not yet a turnaround
United’s 5–2 win over Ipswich on 30 August remains their only league victory of the season. Seven matches since then have produced four draws and three defeats. The last two brought no goals: a 3–0 home loss to Bournemouth and a 2–0 defeat at Chelsea.
Coming back from two down against Roma showed a response that had been badly needed. But Sunday asks a different question: can United put together a performance that earns three points without needing another rescue act?
Old Trafford has not insulated them from those problems. Since beating Ipswich, United have lost to Manchester City, drawn with Tottenham and lost to Bournemouth at home in the league.
Villa’s league form tells a different story
Villa have gone three games without winning in all competitions, with defeats at Bournemouth in the League Cup and Barcelona either side of a 1–1 draw with Fulham. In the Premier League, though, they are unbeaten in five.
That run includes wins at Tottenham and Newcastle, and a home victory over Manchester City. Villa have already shown they can take points away from home; their recent cup defeats should not obscure that.
United’s challenge is to carry Tuesday’s belief into a more consistent afternoon. For Villa, the opportunity is to turn their stronger league run into another away win before the international break.
The afternoon’s biggest question
Neither side can afford to let its latest European result define this match. United need to turn a memorable comeback into points; Villa need to show why their league results have been more encouraging than their cup exits and defeats suggest.
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