Victor Lindelof joined Aston Villa in the summer and has recently become a reliable force in Unai Emery’s defence.
Manchester United made a lot of changes to their squad in 2025, with more alterations planned this year, especially in the midfield department.
The squad lost three players at the end of their contracts, including Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof.
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Lindelof signed for Aston Villa on transfer deadline day, while Eriksen had to wait a bit longer to find a new club before agreeing terms at Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.
United are in the process of rebuilding the squad, sitting 6th in the Premier League after a topsy-turvy first half to the 2025/26 campaign, which ultimately led to Ruben Amorim getting the sack.
Unai Emery hails Victor Lindelof after Juan Mata recommendation
After a slow start at Aston Villa, Lindelof was recently handed a run of games due to injuries sustained by Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings.
The transfer was questioned by many at the time, but Lindelof has proven to be a more than solid signing, even if he was arguably at fault for the goal Villa conceded against Nottingham Forest last time out.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Villa boss Unai Emery addressed the media and revealed how former United midfielder Juan Mata previously recommended Lindelof to the Spanish coach.
“Everything he told me, now we are watching it,” Emery told reporters, as per BBC Sport.
“Fantastic guy, very professional and respectful.”
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He added: “He was being passionate and he was adapting to play on the right side, and when we needed him because we had those two injuries – Tyrone [Mings] and Pau [Torres] – he played in the level we expected. I am so happy how he’s helping us and I told him, ‘you set the level here, now you can’t get under this level’.”
Villa are currently positioned third in the Premier League table, three spots higher than the Red Devils.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 3 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 42 |
| 4 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 34 |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 33 | 22 | 11 | 31 |
| 6 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 31 |
| 7 |  BrentfordBrentford | 20 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 30 |
| 8 |  SunderlandSunderland | 20 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 30 |
Victor Lindelof record at Aston Villa
Emery deserves credit for taking a chance on Lindelof, with the Swede worthy of praise after contributing to multiple impressive results for Villa.
In December, United lost 2-1 against Aston Villa as Lindelof kept Benjamin Sesko quiet throughout the game.
Lindelof has made 14 appearances for Villa this season, registering one assist.
Nine of Lindelof’s games came in the Premier League, including five starts.
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