Erik ten Hag could be managing for his job as Manchester United travel to meet Aston Villa in a Premier League Sunday showdown.

The Red Devils looked primed to take their boss off the hot seat when they were 2-0 up on Porto in midweek Champions League action, but they withered in the Portuguese sun, coughing up the lead and falling down a man, only being rescued slightly by Harry Maguire’s last-gasp equalizer.

Still, the manner in which the club earned their measly point leaves the already under fire Dutchman in near-boiling water. It’s possible that an adverse result at Villa Park today would leave Man United executives with no choice but to relieve ten Hag of his duties.

Villa, meanwhile, are riding high after slaying the giants of Bayern Munich in their midweek Champions League match, and they sit fifth in the EPL table having gone four unbeaten since defeat to title-hopefuls Arsenal in late August.

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Aston Villa vs. Man United prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: Aston Villa (+120)
• Score prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Man United

Erik ten Hag is known for securing some of his best results when his job is under fire, but he saw the chance to do so against Porto slip away, and now faces a truly daunting challenge on the road against an in-form Aston Villa.

Unai Emery has this Villa team not just purring up front, but defending with vigor as well. You wonder whether his side will be a bit mentally exhausted after the rousing performance against Bayern Munich, but if anyone can gear them back up its the experienced Emery who will be used to turning his team around after a defining midweek victory.

Aston Villa vs. Man United match facts

• Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024
• Kickoff Time: 2 p.m. local (9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT)
• Location: Villa Park (Birmingham, England)
• Referee: Robert Jones, VAR: John Brooks.
• Last meeting: Aston Villa 1-2 Man United (Feb. 11, 2024 | Premier League)

Aston Villa vs. Man United best bet

• Pick: Aston Villa over 1.5 total goals
• Odds: -125 (BetMGM)

Since Erik ten Hag took over Manchester United, no Premier League team has conceded three or more goals in league play more times than his side.

You can get Aston Villa over 2.5 goals at +250, which is enticing for sure, but the safer play is this muted selection at nearly 1/1 odds. Villa have scored two or more goals in every single game this season across all competitions save two, with only defeat to Arsenal and the recent win over Bayern Munich being the exceptions.

Aston Villa vs. Man United prop bet

• Pick: Aston Villa to score in both halves
• Odds: +170 (FanDuel)

Manchester United’s defensive woes this season have not been compartmentalized to one half or the other. Instead, they’ve been equal opportunity sieves, conceding four goals on 4.87 xG in the first 45 minutes this season before opening up to allow four goals on 6.17 xG in the second half, both which rank in the top half of the league.

Villa, meanwhile, have scored a league-high seven second-half goals so far this young season, and their five first-half goals on 4.65 xG shows they can finish well before the break too. They will be happy to put Erik ten Hag from the frying pan into the fire throughout the 90 minutes.