Aston Villa take on Manchester United at Old Trafford this afternoon, looking to get their hunt for Champions League football back on track after a recent blip.
Unai Emery’s men once looked like a dead cert to finish in the Premier League’s top four this season, with many even tipping the club to battle the likes of Arsenal for the title.
However, a run of three games without a win has seen the Villans drop to fourth place and now boast just a three-point cushion over fifth-place Chelsea.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery during the match -3
As a result of their drop in form, the Red Devils have jumped above them in the current league standings, adding further importance to this afternoon’s meeting.
If Emery’s side are to secure all three points against Michael Carrick’s men this afternoon, the Spaniard will have to do so without the presence of one of his key starters.
Why Jadon Sancho will miss the clash with United this afternoon
Injuries have massively plagued Villa during key parts of the season, which has no doubt made Emery’s quest for success in the West Midlands one step harder.
He will no doubt face another selection dilemma at Old Trafford this afternoon, with winger Jadon Sancho unable to take any part in the key Premier League clash.
jadon-sancho-aston-villa
The Englishman impressed during the Europa League win over Lille on Thursday night, subsequently completing two dribbles and registering three passes into the final third.
However, with the 25-year-old currently spending the season on loan at Villa Park from the Red Devils, he will be ineligible to feature against his parent outfit.
Sancho, as a result, will have to sit out the important clash, which once again will result in the manager needing to shuffle his first team pack in an attempt to secure three vital points.
Emery will no doubt be wishing he could call upon the services of one player, who previously had high hopes of succeeding after his big-money move to the West Midlands.
The Villa star who could replace Sancho against United
In recent years, Villa have had a plethora of big-money attacking talent, with Sancho the latest in a long line of players who have been tasked with providing the goods.
Moussa Diaby joined the Villans for a reported £52m from German side Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023, with such a move breaking the club’s record fee in the process.
moussa-diaby-aston-villa
However, the Frenchman failed to set the division as many expected him to, subsequently spending just one year in the Premier League before moving onto pastures new.
The 26-year-old featured in every league game, registering 14 combined goals and assists, but he would be offloaded to join Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad in 2024.
Emery already has his next version of Diaby on the books at Villa Park, with winger Leon Bailey also following a similar pattern in joining from Bayer Leverkusen.
However, the Jamaican international has also massively disappointed in the West Midlands, even joining Roma on loan during the summer transfer window.
Leon Bailey for Aston Villa-1
He’s since returned to the club, featuring in nine matches across all competitions, but only managing to register one assist and failing to find the back of the net.
Sancho’s unavailability for the clash this afternoon could hand the 28-year-old the chance to reignite his career, whilst also firing the club one step closer to a place in the Champions League.
Bailey did register an assist in the recent league defeat to Chelsea, with the winger desperately needing to build on his recent success in the final third.
He also completed the most dribbles of any player on the pitch that day (2), which could hand Emery the attacking threat he will miss in Sancho’s absence.
Leon Bailey - stats against Chelsea
Statistics
Minutes played
Touches
Successful dribbles
Chances created
Touches in 18-yard box
Duels won
Pass accuracy
Fouls won
However, should he fail to grab the opportunity that could be handed his way with both hands, it’s likely that the Jamaican international could suffer the same fate as Diaby in being sold by the board.
It’s vital that Villa get their Premier League form back on track this afternoon, with the Red Devils having the chance to pull further clear if they claim all three points.
Leon-Bailey-Aston-Villa
Their efforts will no doubt depend on the quality of the players within the attacking third, with Bailey the man who needs to step up most if he starts in the absence of Sancho.
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