Manchester United are preparing to welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford for Monday night’s FA Cup clash.
Villa won at Old Trafford earlier in the season and will be confident they can inflict further damage on the home side.
This match is one of two successive games against Villa, with the second coming in the Premier League the following weekend at Villa Park.
How are Aston Villa looking?
Villa are preparing to welcome players back from injury. Their form has been mixed, with two wins and three defeats from their last five matches.
The Villans are boosted by the return of Tyrone Mings from suspension, while striker Ollie Watkins is also available after injury.
Manager Steven Gerrard told the club website: “Ollie Watkins is due back with the group on Saturday, so that will be a welcome addition. Tyrone Mings comes back from suspension – he’s fit, well and available.”
Former United star Ashley Young has an ‘outside chance’ to be available after injury, while winger Leon Bailey probably won’t be ready to feature, although he could be in contention for the Premier League game on January 15.
Coutinho joins
The most notable boost for Villa comes with the signing of Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who has joined on loan from Barcelona.
Coutinho scored against United with both Liverpool and Barcelona and he will give the whole club a boost at a key time.
It’s unclear if Coutinho will be ready for the cup game, with Villa’s website today saying he will travel to the club within 48 hours.
This conceivably still gives him time to make Monday’s game, but this is probably unlikely due to factors like international clearance and paperwork.
More likely is that Coutinho will make his debut against United the following weekend at Villa Park when he has had a few days training with the team.
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