United value at Villa Park
Aston Villa welcome Manchester United to Villa Park off the back of a very busy week in the transfer window where they have lured Philippe Coutinho and former Barcelona man Lucas Digne into the squad. The Red Devils still go in as favourites and were narrow victors over Steven Gerrard’s men in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday. Ralf Rangnick does seem to have achieved the level of buy-in from the squad to carry out his methods at full tilt, but on they go in looking to bridge the four point gap between themselves and the top four.
Process
Both are mediocre and need improving if they are to have a successful season. The Villans looked very impressive at points under Dean Smith last season but have not matched the standards since Jack Grealish left in the summer. The hosts have overperformed their expected goals (xG) to score 25 from 20.2 xGF, which is an average of just 1.06 xGF per game. United have been very leaky at the back this term but Villa are going to have to create more than that to give themselves a good chance of picking up all three points.
United have been much better in the attacking third than Villa, but still below par of where they want to be competing in the table. The Red Devils have scored 30 goals from 29.7 xGF at an average of 1.56 per game. A solid attacking process if pursuing European qualification was the goal.
Goals?
Unders could be an angle, United have tightened up under Rangnick but have not looked as fluid going forward. The Asian Handicap is enticing enough to get involved with for me.
- Villa have scored in six of ten.
- Villa have conceded in seven of ten.
- Villa have seen both teams score in five of ten.
- Villa have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
- Man U have scored in nine of ten.
- Man U have conceded in six of ten.
- Man U have seen both teams score in five of ten.
- Man U have seen over 2.5 goals in two of ten.
The personnel at Rangnick’s disposal suggests that they can only improve in the second half of the season. The trip to Villa presents a good opportunity to set the wheels in motion.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A late rally from Villa scuppers us, 2-2.