Emery to axe Jacob Ramsey and Lucas Digne in three changes – Aston Villa predicted XI v Manchester United

Unai Emery could be set to make three changes as Aston Villa prepare for their Premier League clash against Manchester United on Boxing Day (26 December).

Nicolo Zaniolo’s goal seven minutes into injury time helped the Villans salvage a point against Sheffield United, and now they head to Old Trafford.

In spite of injuries and bans impeding their progress, Emery’s team still has a chance to redeem themselves against Erik ten Hag’s faltering Man United team on the road.

After receiving a red card against Brentford, Boubacar Kamara is still serving his three-match suspension.

He has already accrued five yellow cards and one match suspension.

Matty Cash, who received his fifth yellow card of the season against the Blades, will also be out for Villa due to suspension. According to Birmingham Mail, injuries are still plaguing the team as well.

Tyrone Mings, Youri Tielemans, and Bertrand Traore are out, and Pau Torres is still questionable.

Due to a disappointing performance and aggravating bans, Villa may make three changes before facing the Red Devils.

It is anticipated that Emiliano Martinez will continue to start in goal.

The goalkeeper had the best passing accuracy of everyone who played 45 minutes or more, at 96%, despite his inability to stop Cameron Archer’s goal.

With Cash suspended, Diego Carlos could be involved at right-back, making his ninth Premier League start of the season.

Alex Moreno could replace Lucas Digne on the opposite flank. With the Frenchman without a goal contribution since 21 September, Moreno offers a more dangerous threat going forward with three shots on target in his last two appearances, boasting an 83 per cent shot accuracy.

Mings continues to recover from injury, so Clement Lenglet and Ezri Konsa could start another Premier League fixture as centre-back partners.

Douglas Luiz and John McGinn are unlikely to be rested in such an important game against Man United.

The former was named Man of the Match on Friday after he made 108 touches, created two chances (more than any other player on the field, one of which was an assist), kept a 93% passing accuracy, and won 83% of his aerial duels.

The Scot had an exceptionally bad performance, winning only 23% of ground duels (3/13), and losing possession seven times. Nevertheless, McGinn was able to maintain an accurate pass percentage of 85% and generate the most opportunities in tandem with his midfield partner.

Zaniolo could be the third change that Emery makes ahead of the

trip to Old Trafford, forcing home his only shot on target against Sheffield United as an 81st-minute substitute.

Leon Bailey, who has eight goals and eight assists this season, is anticipated to keep helping the striker tandem.

On Friday, VAR denied the strikers a goal.

If either Ollie Watkins or Moussa Diaby is to provide any offensive danger to Villa’s front line before the

Man United match, they will need to refuel. Sheffield United restricted the two to only one shot on goal apiece at Villa Park.

The former player attempted seven more dribbles than any other player in the game, but he was only successful on two of them, for a total of 29 percent of his dribble efforts were unsuccessful. That must get better in order to compete with players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, and Diogo Dalot.

Watkins is probably going to start for Aston Villa in the starting lineup. Watkins, though, will be looking to have a greater influence the next weekend after recording the fewest touches of any outfield player to play 90 minutes on Friday night (21).

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk