Manchester United vs. Aston Villa: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info, Ticket News

Manchester United vs. Aston Villa is a clash that has lost some of its lustre thanks to Villa's precarious position and the effect on United's top-four challenge of their heavy defeat to Spurs. 

Anything other than a win will make Aston Villa's relegation mathematically certain as they are currently 15 points from safety with five games left to play. 

United, on the other hand, are still only four points and considerably worse goal difference behind Manchester City. The fight for the top four is still theoretically alive, though it is hard to take it particularly seriously given United's lack of consistency. 

Speaking ahead of this one, Villa's acting manager Eric Black said, per the club's website: 

"

Man United are Man United. I know people will say they are probably not the Man United of five years ago. But they a top, top football team. They went into a very hostile atmosphere and coped with it. Yes there was a little flurry near the end for West Ham who gave it everything they had but Man United coped.

They have a lot of good players and it's a huge, huge task for us on Saturday. But I have to be honest - watching our players out there in training - I am relishing it.  I am looking forward to getting there. Let's surprise a few people.

"

Speaking to the press on Friday, Louis van Gaal said, per United's website: 

"

The players, the manager and the staff have been frustrated because we have not been consistent this season. When you have to line a different team up every week because of injuries, it is difficult to make a consistent team-building process. Still, we are in the race for the first positions in the league and we are still in the FA Cup, so I am very happy that we can do that.

"

Date: Saturday, 16 April

Time: 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

TV Info: NBCSN/NBC Universo (U.S. only)

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)

Form Lines

Manchester United: DDWWLW

Aston Villa: LLLLLL

Team News

Van Gaal told MUTV (h/t the club's website) that he does not think Bastian Schweinsteiger "shall play this season" and that he is a doubt for this summer's European Championships. 

He also spoke about Ander Herrera's knock against West Ham United, saying: "I don't know yet for sure, he was injured but the problem is we have to recover again within two days." 

He also said Luke Shaw was "doing great" and that he was "now training on the pitch with the physiotherapist."

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

As for Wayne Rooney, Van Gaal said:

"

He [Rooney] always wants to play. Yes, I think he shall receive more minutes but it’s always dependable on the game. You cannot say in advance that I give you 20 minutes or something like that; when it’s possible, I shall do that because we need Wayne in the team.

"

Black has said, per Villa's website, that Gabby Agbonlahor will be unavailable for this game. However, in better news for the Villains, Adama Traore and Jack Grealish will be in contention. Black said: "They have trained very, very well. I couldn't fault them."

Predicted Lineups

Van Gaal hinted that there may be some changes either for this game or the game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, telling MUTV (h/t ManUtd.com): "Yes, yes, I think so. I have to [rotate]. It’s also better for the players, I think, but we have to wait and see if I do that tomorrow or [against] Palace. Everton in the FA Cup is, of course, [a game where] we have to line up the strongest team." 

Assuming he opts for the midweek clash to move the pieces of the puzzle around, the team should look something like this:

There are plenty of alternatives, of course. He could reunite the partnership of Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin in a more traditional 4-2-3-1. If that happens, expect to see Juan Mata on the right flank and Jesse Lingard through the middle.

Marouane Fellaini may not have been chosen for this one had he not scored against West Ham United on Wednesday—a game in which he featured to help deal with Andy Carroll's threat at set pieces—but his goal there probably earns him another start.

Bleacher Report Lead Tactics Writer and Aston Villa supporter Sam Tighe suggested Black might go with the lineup above, but there is the possibility he will go with a 4-4-2 with Grealish on the left and Jordan Veretout on the right, as suggested in the Guardian.

Players to Watch

It is rare that a right-back gets the shout in the players-to-watch category, but it is rare that one makes the kind of impact Timothy Fosu-Mensah has. His performances against Spurs and West Ham attracted plenty of plaudits, and rightfully so.

With his remarkable physical presence, obvious defensive nous and ability to contribute to United's attacks, it looks like the Red Devils have unearthed a real gem of a player. 

Given that Villa have cancelled their player-of-the-year awards and are on an eight-game losing streak, it is very difficult to pick out a player worthy of special attention. Perhaps the former Manchester City duo of Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott will make a special effort to thwart their old club's rivals. However, in what is the bleakest season in living memory for the Villa, it is likely to be for naught. 

Key Battle

For similar reason to the above, it is difficult to suggest any area of Villa's side that is particularly capable of putting up an important fight—as is reflected in the odds below. However, if pushed, it is worth keeping an eye on Marcus Rashford's battle with the central defensive partnership of Richards and Lescott. 

The 18-year-old could give them a lot to think about, allowing space of which Anthony Martial could take advantage.

Ticket News

For ticket information on all Premier League games, visit the official site or go to the ticket page on the home club's official website.

Odds

Manchester United: 6-25

Draw: 6-1

Aston Villa: 16-1

Odds for the game correct at the time of writing, per Odds Shark.