Matheus Cunha and John McGinn stood alongside each other.
Credit: Imago
Samuel Fabre
Thu 18 December 2025 16:10, UK
Aston Villa face off against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Villa have a long-standing hatred towards Man United due to their historic dominance over the claret and blue outfit.
Things are looking different under Unai Emery this season, especially after Villa secured a last-gasp win over Arsenal last time out in B6.
Villa are in a Premier League title race, all while Ruben Amorim’s side sit sixth in the table, seven points behind the Villans.
Now, Villa News has assessed a combined XI of the two sides ahead of the meeting at Villa Park.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looking happy while clapping
Credit: Imago
Aston Villa dominate defence and midfield options
Manchester United may have spent over £330million on their backline, but they don’t have many better options than the Midlands side.
Emi Martinez nearly joined Man United in the summer, before Senne Lammens signed, so the Argentine makes this XI with relative ease.
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Ahead of the Aston Villa man, a trio of Lucas Digne, Matty Cash, and Ezri Konsa are joined by Man United’s Matthijs de Ligt.
Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara make up the midfield with Bruno Fernandes, while Morgan Rogers and Bryan Mbuemo would provide an abundance of quality out wide.
That leaves Ollie Watkins to lead the line ahead of £74m signing Benjamin Sesko.
Date 21 December
Time 4:30pm
Stadium Villa Park
McGinn has been incredible for Aston Villa, and although Mbuemo will be unavailable for Sunday’s clash, the Cameroon international would hold an edge over him on the right wing.
The 26-year-old scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season, and has carried on his goalscoring form at Old Trafford with seven in all competitions already.
According to FotMob, Mbuemo has the most shots (42) and the most xG (5.55) of any right-winger in the top flight in 2025-26, while also creating 26 chances in 16 appearances.
Aston Villa vs Manchester United combined XI
Aston Villa vs Manchester United combined XI
Unfortunately for McGinn, the fact that he is a different profile out wide means he misses out on the team, but Rogers has shown that he is head and shoulders above Cunha on the opposite side.
Morgan Rogers statistically outperforms Matheus Cunha
Rogers’ double against West Ham on 14 December showcased why he is tipped to start over Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden at the 2026 World Cup.
He has registered 62 touches in the opposition box and created 16 chances this season, with his form in recent weeks reminiscent of what he achieved in 2024-25.
In comparison, Cunha has only scored one goal this season, creating 15 chances and registering 52 touches in the box.
The former Wolves man is set for a hostile reception on Sunday, and Rogers can once again prove why he is one of the best players in the Premier League.
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