Aston Villa set to be without key player for Sunday’s game, Hojlund will be relieved

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Aston Villa are set to be without a key defender for their clash against Manchester United this weekend, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United are seemingly on a mini-renaissance as the Red Devils have won four of their five games in all competitions, including two FA Cup games, but they seem to be on the right track.

This weekend represents a massive occasion for the Red Devils as they take on Aston Villa at Villa Park with the December win over Unai Emery’s side kickstarting Rasmus Hojlund’s goalscoring groove in the Premier League.

With United in good form, a win in Birmingham for Erik ten Hag’s side will lay down a marker that the Red Devils are on the charge.

Villa without key man

Unai Emery’s side will be without key defender Ezri Konsa for the game against United at Villa Park and is still being assessed, according to a report from The Telegraph.

Konsa, the English defender, was replaced during the 5-0 victory over Sheffield United. Konsa collided with the post in the second half, sustaining a knee injury in the process.

The ex-Brentford man’s absence would be a huge blow for Villa and the 26-year-old has started every Premier League game this season and also played every league match last term.

Another absentee at Villa Park is Spanish defender Pau Torres, who has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford during his time at Villarreal.

Hojlund may well be breathing a sigh of relief if Villa’s two most important defenders are to miss the game on Sunday evening.

Villa game key

This game has all the makings of United’s biggest of the season so far. If they can get a win against Unai Emery’s side in Birmingham, it would not only close the gap to the Champions League spots but also end their Ten Hag voodoo.

Since joining the club in the summer of 2022, the Dutchman has failed to record a victory against any of the top sides away from home and this has been an issue for nearly two years now.

If United can arrest this and send out a real statement of intent, it could be the jolt that Ten Hag and the club have needed.