Watkins Set To Return | 4-3-3 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup Vs Manchester United

Manchester United will lock horns with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday night, hoping to pick up a win in the third round of the FA Cup competition. The Red Devils will be coming into the match on the back of a shambolic 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers, whereas Steven Gerrard’s men recorded a 2-1 loss against Brentford on January 2.

Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins will be available for selection on Monday, Steven Gerrard confirmed in an interview.

“We’ll have Ollie Watkins available. We’ll have Tyrone Mings available, assuming that the preparation goes well from now until kick-off. Ashley Young has got an outside chance, he’s still got a bit of a niggle in that fractured toe but we’re working with it and are trying to find solutions for him. He’s got an outside chance.

“The rest is as it was, with Leon Bailey and Marvelous Nakamba both missing because they’re both the longer-term ones but, overall, we’ve come through Brentford with no major injuries. Kortney Hause has had a bit of tightness after the game, but that’s settled down and he trained today.”

The English tactician will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with a couple of changes from the last game. In attack, Watkins might get the nod over Danny Ings, whereas Mings looks likely to make his way back into the starting line-up.

4-3-3 Aston Villa Predicted Lineup Vs Manchester United

Defence                                                     

Emiliano Martinez will continue to operate between the sticks for the upcoming away encounter. The ex-Arsenal shot-stopper will be hoping to secure a clean sheet this time.

Ezri Konsa will form the centre-half partnership with Tyrone Mings at the heart of Villans’ backline.

Matt Targett is a guaranteed starter at the left-back position, whereas Matty Cash will fill in on the other flank as the right-back. The fullbacks will be expected to stay compact and keep their shape defensively.

Midfield

Douglas Luiz and John McGinn will fulfil the holding midfield positions, with the former occupying a more defensive role to shield the away side’s back-four.

Jacob Ramsey will slot into the attacking midfield role. The 20-year-old midfielder would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal-scoring chances for the men up front.

Attack

Emiliano Buendia and Anwar El Ghazi are expected to take wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.

Ollie Watkins will lead the line for the visitors against Manchester United. The Englishman will be hoping to make the most of his chances when he faces off against the United defence that has kept just one clean sheet in their last five matches across all competitions.

Danny Ings could come off the bench in the second forty-five minutes of the contest if needed.