Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to continue his formidable record against Unai Emery

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Unai Emery will be forgiven for being worried at the thought of facing Cristiano Ronaldo in his first match in charge of Aston Villa.

Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils travel to Villa Park today to take on the Villains in what will be the Spaniard’s first game at the helm after being appointed as the club’s new manager following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.

The former Villarreal manager has faced the twenty-time league champions nine times during his managerial career and his record sits at two wins, three draws and four losses.

He was in charge of the Yellow Submarine when the La Liga side beat United on penalties in Gdansk in the 2021 Europa League final.

It will be the first meeting between the former Arsenal manager and Ten Hag, but the 51-year-old Spaniard will likely have an eye on who’ll be leading the line for the Dutchman.

Cristiano Ronaldo record against Unai Emery

United’s number seven has so often been the scourge against Emery, and the 37-year-old has scored goals against Valencia, Paris Saint Germain and Villarreal when Emery was in charge.

Ronaldo scored in both of United’s wins against Villarreal in the Champions League last season, as he practically dragged us through to the last-16 through his own heroics.

But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has actually scored in his last five appearances against teams managed by Emery, and he’ll be targeting a sixth come Sunday.

Ronaldo scored three of Real Madrid’s five goals that knocked PSG out of the 2017-18 Champions League at the last-16 stage 5-2 on aggregate.

As well as a scoring brace against Emery’s Sevilla in the 2014 UEFA Super Cup, Ronaldo’s overall record against Emery stands at 22 goals scored from 16 games.

The former Juventus man has three hat-tricks to his name against Emery, and he’ll be hoping to spoil the Spaniard’s big day in Birmingham on Sunday if he is given the selection nod by Ten Hag.

As well as having an imperious record against Unai Emery, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoys playing against Aston Villa.

From 13 Premier League games, the former Juventus man has scored eight times against the Villains.

Having missed January’s 2-2 draw in Birmingham, when Ralf Rangnick was in interim charge, due to a hip flexor problem, Ronaldo looks set to make his first appearance at Villa Park since November 2008.