Manchester United vs Aston Villa LIVE!
Aston Villa missed out on Champions League qualification for next season in cruel fashion on the Premier League’s final day. Results elsewhere meant that Unai Emery’s side needed just a point to claim fifth place and the final slot in Europe’s premier club competition in 2025/26, but they ended up having to make do with sixth and the Europa League instead after going down 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Villa saw goalkeeper Emi Martinez sent off on the stroke of half-time in what may have been his final appearance for the club after his woeful challenge on Rasmus Hojlund, but feel they should have gone ahead against the odds with less than 20 minutes to play when Morgan Rogers nicked the ball away from Altay Bayindir and fired home, only to be controversially adjudged to have committed a foul.
Referee Thomas Bramall blew the whistle before the ball went in, meaning the incident could not be reviewed by VAR, leaving Villa and Unai Emery fuming. The 10 men could not hold out as Amad Diallo then headed in Bruno Fernandes’ cross shortly afterwards, before Christian Eriksen doubled United’s advantage with a late farewell goal from the penalty spot after Amad had been fouled by Ian Maatsen.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa highlights
- GOAL! Eriksen scores late penalty after Amad fouled
- GOAL! Amad heads in after huge Rogers controversy
- NO GOAL! Hojlund header ruled out for offside
- RED CARD! Martinez sent off just before half-time
- WOODWORK! Substitute Dalot strikes the post
- Manchester United lose Mazraoui to early injury
Ruben Amorim speech to fans
18:17 , George Flood"First of all I want to apologise for this season," manager Amorim said.
"I'm really disappointed with the team. Second thing I want to say is thank you. We are very grateful for your support during the season.
"I know it was really hard to support us in many games. But now we have to make a choice or we stay stuck in the past.
"This season is in the past, is over. We fight each other or we stick together and move forward."
Ruben Amorim calls for United unity in speech to fans
18:12Ruben Amorim is now on the microphone on the pitch, making an apology to the Manchester United fans for their putrid season before making a passionate call for unity.
The players are lined up in the centre circle before they embark on a lap of honour.
Amorim’s speech is being well-received by supporters who were chanting his name during the game.
Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa
18:07 , George FloodFull-time
Heartbreak for 10-man Aston Villa as they miss out on a second straight season in the Champions League.
They finish the day where they started - sixth. So it’s the Europa League for Unai Emery’s men next season.
They weren’t really at the races today at any point and were up against it after Emi Martinez’s first-half red card, but all the talk will be about referee Thomas Bramall blowing the whistle for a perceived foul on Altay Bayindir before Morgan Rogers had scored with the score at 0-0 - meaning the VAR couldn’t check it.
Had he not done that, the goal may well have stood as Bayindir didn’t look to have the ball in two hands.
United scored twice after that and fully deserve their win, but Villa will feel so aggrieved. Their players and Emery are now confronting the referee.
Manchester City finish third then, with Chelsea fourth and Newcastle fifth to join Liverpool and Arsenal at Europe’s top table next term.
It’s seventh and the Conference League for Nottingham Forest, meanwhile.
United finish a truly miserable season with a flourish, ending the campaign in 16th after their win and Tottenham being thumped 4-1 by Brighton.
Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa
18:00 , George Flood96 mins: A warm ovation for Eriksen as he goes over to take the corner, almost teeing up Evans for a farewell goal of his own as he heads over.
Obi now off target as United keep the late pressure on.
Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa
17:59 , George Flood95 mins: Chances galore at both ends in stoppage time, with Villa twice going close but they just can’t find the finish still.
At the other end, Maatsen turns a dangerous ball behind at the back post.
Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa
17:56 , George FloodHere is the controversial decision from Old Trafford that everyone will be talking about...
HUGE controversy at Old Trafford 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 25, 2025
The whistle blows for a foul as Rogers challenges Bayindir, but did the whistle go too early, as Bayindir didn't look to have gathered the ball...👀
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/AdsMqBusls
Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa
17:55 , George Flood90 mins: Eight minutes of added time have been signalled.
Bayindir saves from first Barkley and then Watkins, but the offside flag is up.
Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa
17:5489 mins: Bayindir dives to parry Malen’s deflected cross, with Tielemans’ effort blocked before Barkley fires over.
Just not Villa’s day.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa | Christian Eriksen (pen) 87'
17:51 , George Flood87 mins: Eriksen is among the United players making his final appearance for the club here and Amorim gets word onto the pitch that he wants him to take the penalty.
The Dane steps up and makes no mistake, firing down the middle as Olsen dives to his right.
That will be that for Villa’s Champions League hopes, surely.
Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa
17:49 , George Flood84 mins: Penalty to Manchester United!
Amad is clipped by Maatsen inside the box.
Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa
17:46 , George Flood80 mins: Hojlund makes way for Chido Obi.
Eriksen twice goes close, whistling a free-kick just off target before now clipping the post.
Rogers and Kamara are replaced by Barkley and Malen for Villa.
Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa
17:4579 mins: Villa are raging here, Emery in particular.
They cannot believe that referee Thomas Bramall blew that whistle before Rogers scored.
Rogers is now booked for clattering Fernandes.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa | Amad Diallo 76'
17:39 , George Flood76 mins: An absolutely desperate turn of events for Villa!
Amad ghosts in behind Maatsen at the back post to head Fernandes’ cross past the helpless Olsen.
Just over three minutes between Rogers firing into the net and Amad scoring.
Villa fans will be furious with Thomas Bramall for blowing that whistle before Rogers scored.
They are back down to sixth and the Europa League as things stand, with Newcastle up to fifth behind City and Chelsea.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:39 , George Flood75 mins: The goal does not stand - how huge a decision could that be, particularly if Villa go on to miss out on Champions League qualification.
Couldn’t see a foul there - Bayindir is very, very lucky indeed.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:37 , George Flood73 mins: GOAAA... NO!
Bayindir slides to try and collect a loose ball just inside the box, but it’s poked free by Rogers!
Rogers then fires into an empty net but the whistle had already gone for a perceived foul by the England midfielder on Bayindir.
Bayindir did not look to have that in two hands and the referee was not really near it.
This will go to VAR, but a reminder that the whistle was blown before the ball went in.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:35 , George Flood71 mins: Erling Haaland has just rolled home a penalty to double Manchester City’s lead at Fulham.
Pep Guardiola’s men look set to finish third.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:33 , George Flood70 mins: Another chance for Fernandes but again he fails to hit the target.
What a huge 20 minutes this is coming up for 10-man Villa.
Can they return to the Champions League against the odds?
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:32 , George Flood68 mins: How have United not scored here?!
Hojlund goes close again before Fernandes lashes a dangerous low strike narrowly wide.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:31 , George Flood66 mins: A HUGE goal at St James’ Park as Charly Alcaraz gives Everton the lead against Newcastle.
That is massive for Villa, as it sees them up into fifth and into next season’s Champions League as things stand.
Newcastle out of the top five!
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:29 , George Flood66 mins: Heaven is now going off, with Evans on for what is his final United appearance.
Eriksen on for Mount.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:28 , George Flood65 mins: Heaven is back on for United and just lunged into a challenge, so maybe he’ll be okay.
Villa look to send Watkins clear, but it’s a poor run from the England striker and he’s offside anyway.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:27 , George Flood64 mins: Fernandes loses possession cheaply to put United in danger, but Amad does well to see off the threat of Ramsey.
More intent and tempo about 10-man Villa now.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:27 , George Flood63 mins: Brighton have turned things around to lead 2-1 at Tottenham, meaning United are now staying 16th as things stand.
A third injury of the day for United as Heaven limps off to follow Mazraoui and Dalot.
I think Jonny Evans is coming on, along with Christian Eriksen.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:25 , George Flood62 mins: Another dangerous low Cash cross into the United box is cleared before McGinn pulls a poor low shot wide with his last action of the game.
He comes off along with Onana as Tielemans and Ramsey come on.
Heaven is now down for United.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:24 , George Flood59 mins: Casemiro blazes into the stands after a Villa head rises to meet Dorgu’s delivery to the back post.
Onana did just enough there to put him off.
Two changes coming to the Villa midfield as Tielemans and Ramsey prepare to come on.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:2257 mins: Not sure how this is still 0-0 as Hojlund gets away again and then runs at Cash before drilling a low strike straight at Olsen.
The home fans are singing Ruben Amorim’s name at the moment.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:20 , George Flood55 mins: Great run and cross from Hojlund, but there’s no one there to meet it in the Villa six-yard box.
Villa are then caught in possession inside the area, but Hojlund takes a poor touch from Mainoo’s pass and a golden chance is lost.
Now Olsen holds Casemiro’s effort.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:17 , George Flood52 mins: Chelsea have taken the lead against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground through Levi Colwill.
Villa still sixth and in the Europa League as things stand, with Forest seventh and heading for the Conference League.
Villa’s 10 men are hanging on at Old Trafford as Casemiro guides an impressive effort wide of the far post with Olsen looking uncertain.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:14 , George Flood50 mins: Much better from Fernandes as a gorgeous strike flies narrowly wide of the back post with Olsen at full stretch.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:13 , George Flood49 mins: GOAAA... NO!
United have a corner from the right after Torres’ block, with Amad’s delivery headed on by Casemiro before being glanced home by Hojlund.
However, the Dane’s celebrations are quickly cut short by the offside flag.
Right decision as his hard-luck story continues. A real let-off for Villa’s 10 men.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:11 , George Flood47 mins: Another wild strike there from Fernandes from outside the box as the ball sails high into the crowd.
A difficult chance, to be fair to him.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
17:08 , George FloodIt looks like the substitute is being subbed at half-time as United send on Kobbie Mainoo for Dalot, who must be injured again.
Amad to right wing-back, with Mainoo joining Casemiro in midfield and Fernandes pushing further forward.
No more changes from Emery just yet.
Here is the Emi Martinez sending off.
He can have zero complaints.
Madness from Emi Martinez 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 25, 2025
A poor backpass from Cash, Hojlund jumps on to it, and as he tries to round Martinez, the Argentinian stopper takes him out and is dismissed 🟥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/lqMDxNuDSK
The rare tale of one half for Emi Martinez...
1 - Emiliano Martínez is the first goalkeeper Opta has on record since 2003-04 to make five saves and get sent off in the first half of a Premier League game. Rollercoaster. pic.twitter.com/LUr32sfNcs
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 25, 2025
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:55 , George FloodHalf-time
Goalless at the break at Old Trafford, but Manchester United have been much the better team for a change, albeit without scoring.
Aston Villa now have a mountain to climb in pursuit of Champions League qualification after Emi Martinez’s dismissal just before the break.
Dreadful from the Argentine and from Matty Cash, whose awful underhit pass put him in all sorts of trouble.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:51 , George Flood48 mins: Villa have sacrificed Asensio to bring on back-up goalkeeper Robin Olsen after that Martinez dismissal.
Amad was booked there too for gesturing for a red card.
United look to make their numerical advantage count immediately, but it’s well over from outside the box from Fernandes.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:48 , George Flood46 mins: What on earth is Martinez doing?!
He’s just come racing out of his box and cleaned out Hojlund after a woeful pass back from Cash.
No hesitation from referee Thomas Bramall and it’s a straight red card.
Villa down to 10 men just before the break. Torres was trying to cover but that won’t save Martinez, who was on top form earlier on.
What could be his last Villa appearance ends in disaster.
Woeful from Cash too. Deary me.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:46 , George Flood45 mins: Two minutes of additional time to play at the end of this first half.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:45 , George Flood43 mins: Villa force another late first-half corner that is confidently punched clear by Bayindir.
Maatsen’s follow-up cross towards the back post is overhit and sails out for a goal kick.
Emery doesn’t look pleased on the touchline and there are some nervous faces in that away end.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:4440 mins: Aston Villa fans - many of whom are in fancy dress - look glued to their phones in the away end as they frantically check the scores from around the grounds.
Apart from City leading, it’s been very quiet indeed in the top-five battle so far.
As it stands, Villa will be finishing sixth and playing in the Europa League next season.
For United, it would be just one place above the relegation zone.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:40 , George Flood37 mins: The lack of urgency on display from Villa in this first half so far is quite baffling given the high stakes and their recent form.
Diligent defending from Amad to get back and block McGinn’s attempted strike after possession is given away cheaply by United.
A corner is eventually cleared and the ball ends up all the way at the feet of Martinez.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:37 , George Flood35 mins: Villa have not threatened at all really in this first half so far but that’s a wicked delivery from Cash from the right that falls safe.
Emery cannot believe no one made contact with that inside the box.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:36 , George Flood33 mins: Mount tries his luck again but a curling strike deflects off Kamara before being safely gathered by Martinez.
Mount has been bright so far today at the end of a very difficult season.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:34 , George Flood32 mins: Another mad scramble in the Villa box after an Amad cross is flicked on by Maguire and then deflects off a Villa defender.
Casemiro tries to get there at the back post but Martinez is there first. I think the Brazilian was offside.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:33 , George Flood31 mins: Villa are under siege again here as Amad feeds Fernandes, who lofts a glorious ball through for Dalot.
However, instead of shooting again, this time he tries to set up Hojlund and Villa can clear.
Brilliant from Fernandes.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:30 , George Flood29 mins: Spoke too soon!
Bedlam in the Villa box after Martinez punches a free-kick aimed from the left into Casemiro.
A lovely bit of skill from Maguire on the byline keeps the attack alive and he then tees up Dalot for a swerving first-time strike that cannons back off the post.
Heaven and Hojlund can’t scramble the rebound home and Villa just about survive.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:29 , George Flood27 mins: A real lull in this game now with United slowing down somewhat after their fast start and Villa still yet to get going.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:25 , George Flood23 mins: Solid defending from Konsa and then Pau Torres to clear balls into the Villa box.
Manchester City are leading at Fulham now through Ilkay Gundogan.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:24 , George Flood22 mins: No goals just yet in the games impacting the top-five race, but Tottenham do lead against Brighton thanks to Dominic Solanke’s penalty.
That means as things stand, United would be finishing this horror season down in 17th.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:22 , George Flood20 mins: Great defending from young Ayden Heaven to stop Watkins in his tracks and halt a dangerous Villa counter-attack.
The offside flag is up.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:20 , George Flood19 mins: Straight down the tunnel now for Mazraoui in a disappointing premature end to his afternoon.
On comes Dalot, only just back from injury himself.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:20 , George Flood18 mins: Mazraoui is off the pitch receiving treatment as Dalot prepares to enter the fray.
Rogers overhits a pass intended for Watkins, who is still searching for his first league goal against United.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:18 , George Flood16 mins: A confident take from Martinez inside the Villa box.
At the other end, Villa try to get Maatsen in behind and Mazraoui looks to have hurt himself while chasing him to the byline.
This looks like a hamstring.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:15 , George Flood14 mins: Villa break for the first time today and Dorgu and Maguire both have to make key defensive headers to repel crosses from McGinn and Asensio.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:14 , George Flood11 mins: United are queuing up with these early chances.
Dorgu’s cushioned first-time pass from a cross finds Mount, whose low drive is inadvertently blocked by his own team-mate in Hojlund.
Hojlund then almost connects with a Mount cross to the front post, with Amad coming in behind to fire just wide.
Where have this United team been all season?!
They could and probably should be a couple of goals up already here.
This is most unlike Villa.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:11 , George Flood8 mins: Mazraoui with a little lay off for Casemiro, whose mishit strike is contained by the busy Martinez.
Villa yet to settle at all here.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:096 mins: United are firmly in the ascendancy early on here, Villa look nervy.
Lovely intricate build-up play down the right involving Mazraoui, Amad and Fernandes, whose strike is held by Martinez.
Three saves already from the Argentine in the opening stages at Old Trafford.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:06 , George Flood4 mins: Two huge early chances for United in quick succession, both for Mount.
He first connects with Mazraoui’s cutback, only to see the ball bounce off the leg of Martinez, who then holds Mount’s free header after a cross from Hojlund.
Superb stuff from Villa’s potentially departing goalkeeper.
Manchester United 0-0 Aston Villa
16:04 , George Flood2 mins: Plenty of early possession for United but a long ball forward from Maguire is overhit and sails out of play.
Villa try to drive forward for the first time, but Kamara is hacked down by Mount.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
16:01 , George FloodUnderway at Old Trafford for the final time this season!
Can Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League again, or will Manchester United end a dismal season with a much-needed win?
Strong anti-Glazer chants from the first whistle.
United in red this afternoon as always at home, Villa in black away strips.
Thomas Bramall is the referee, with Stuart Attwell on VAR duty.
Here come the teams
15:57Here come the teams at Old Trafford as the Stone Roses sound out around the ground.
Those 1958 protest banners positioned around the tunnel for maximum impact on television.
Amorim confirms Garnacho will travel on United post-season tour
15:55Ruben Amorim has also confirmed that Alejandro Garnacho will travel on Manchester United’s post-season tour to the Far East next week, where they face the ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia before heading to Hong Kong.
“He will fly with us for post-season tour. We need to be all there, we have to give something back to our fans,” the Portuguese said.
Unai Emery reacts to Emi Martinez transfer talk
15:45Short and sweet from Unai Emery when asked by TNT Sports ahead of kick-off if today is Emi Martinez’s last game for Aston Villa amid huge transfer speculation and his emotional reaction after the full-time whistle at Villa Park last week
“No way,” Emery said. “See you later.”
Martinez, like Bruno Fernandes, has been linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
He’s also been linked with a shock return to Arsenal as well as Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and even Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim addresses Alejandro Garnacho situation
15:36 , George FloodRuben Amorim again not being drawn on a potential summer exit from Manchester United for Alejandro Garnacho despite the Argentine being dropped completely from the squad today.
Napoli are again being strongly linked with Garnacho as well as departing Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne, though United’s apparent £60m asking price could yet prove a significant stumbling block.
There were plenty of transfer rumours surrounding the 20-year-old in both January and last summer, with Chelsea among the clubs linked.
🚨 Amorim: "Garnacho is a Manchester United player who is not in the squad today, but he continues to be a Manchester United player." #MUFC
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) May 25, 2025
Aston Villa's Old Trafford struggles
15:26Manchester United can at least take heart this afternoon from their strong record historically against Aston Villa, particularly at home.
Only two of Villa’s last 39 trips to Old Trafford across all competitions have ended in victory, in 2009 and 2021.
United won four in a row against today’s opponents before a goalless draw at Villa Park in October, a battling result immediately before an international break that earned Ruben Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag only brief respite.
Manchester United fans continue protests against ownership
15:15Angry Manchester United fans continue to protest against the club’s ownership outside Old Trafford ahead of the game.
The latest march has been organised by fan group The 1958.
Aston Villa unchanged with Tielemans and Ramsey on bench
15:08 , George FloodIn-form Aston Villa are unchanged from their 2-0 home win over Tottenham last week.
Midfield duo Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey are both on the bench after injury and suspension respectively.
That means Lamare Bogarde and Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi both drop out of the matchday squad.
No Garnacho in squad as Amorim makes three changes from Bilbao
15:04The headline team news from a Manchester United perspective is no Alejandro Garnacho in the squad at all amid reports that he has been told to find a new club this summer.
There’s surprisingly only three changes to the team that started the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday night, with no Andre Onana at all either as deputy Altay Bayindir steps up in goal with veteran Tom Heaton on the bench.
The other two alterations are both in defence, where Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro also drop out of the squad entirely as Victor Lindelof - who is also expected to leave United this summer - and young Ayden Heaven come in.
Diogo Dalot on the bench again, no Joshua Zirkzee.
Aston Villa lineup
14:49 , George FloodAston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen, Kamara, Onana, Rogers, Asensio, McGinn, Watkins
Subs: Olsen, Mings, Barkley, Tielemans, Digne, Garcia, Malen, Ramsey, Bailey
Manchester United lineup
14:47 , George FloodManchester United XI: Bayindir, Lindelof, Maguire, Heaven, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Amad, Mount, Hojlund
Subs: Heaton, Dalot, Evans, Fredricson, Collyer, Eriksen, Mainoo, Ugarte, Obi
Ruben Amorim to address Manchester United fans
14:41More protests against the Manchester United ownership by frustrated fans are taking place at Old Trafford today, while Ruben Amorim is set to offer his apologies for a dreadful season in a post-match address to the crowd on the pitch.
It is not known at the moment exactly what the Portuguese - who has won only six of his first 26 Premier League matches in charge since succeeding Erik ten Hag in November - plans to say.
Amorim of course raised eyebrows straight after the Europa League final by claiming that he would quit United without any compensation if that’s what the powers that be wanted, but it quickly emerged that he retained that support and the hierarchy’s position had not changed after Bilbao.
Reports this weekend then claimed that Amorim spoke to his squad at Carrington yesterday and confirmed that he would remain in his role next season, as well as apparently telling Alejandro Garnacho to find a new club (more on that in a moment).
The United players will also undertake a lap of honour after the full-time whistle this afternoon.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not expected to be in attendance.
How can Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League?
14:29Aston Villa’s sparkling recent form is in stark contrast to that of United.
Unai Emery’s side have won eight of their nine games since the start of March, including three in a row now against Fulham, Bournemouth and Tottenham.
They almost produced an epic comeback at home against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals, with the only blot on their recent copybook the shock 3-0 loss to eventual winners Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals, when they simply didn’t turn up at Wembley.
Per Opta, another win today would see Villa achieve 20 victories in back-to-back seasons for the first time in almost a century.
They head into today’s game sitting sixth and level on points (66) with fourth-place Newcastle and Chelsea in fifth, but with a vastly inferior goal difference to both.
They are a point ahead of seventh-place Nottingham Forest, who host Chelsea in a huge final-day battle at the City Ground.
A win at Old Trafford today would see Villa seal a top-five finish and a second straight season in the Champions League if either Newcastle - who host Everton - or Chelsea don’t win, or if third-place Manchester City lose at Fulham.
A draw with United would leave Villa needing to hope that Newcastle lose to Everton, with the Forest-Chelsea result then essentially immaterial.
An obvious point, but there is no way that Villa can lose today and still qualify for the Champions League.
They are guaranteed a top-seven finish and at least a spot in the Conference League next term, but are shooting for much more having got such a taste of life at the top table in recent months.
This thrilling top-five battle likely has plenty of twists and turns to come throughout the afternoon...
Manchester United's sobering season by the numbers
14:13We’ll get on to Aston Villa’s much brighter prospects in a moment, but a look at Opta Sport’s pre-match Manchester United stats, as relayed by the BBC, really makes for extraordinary viewing, particularly as someone who grew up during their era of dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson.
They have already suffered their most number of defeats in a season since they were relegated from the top-flight in 1973/74 and have failed to win back-to-back league matches in a season for only the third time ever.
Another loss today would see United suffer four successive defeats in the same season for the first time since 1979 and lose exactly half their league games in a season in the top-flight for the first time since 1930/31.
And that’s without mentioning that they haven’t won any of their last eight in the league, last tasting domestic victory with a 3-0 win at now-relegated Leicester back on March 16.
Before that, it was Ipswich on February 26.
In fact, United have not beaten a team outside of the bottom three since a 1-0 win at Fulham on January 26.
I can’t find a home league win against a team not in the bottom three since the 4-0 victory over Everton on December 1.
Only Everton, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton have scored fewer than United’s 42 league goals this season.
Truly appalling stuff.
Manchester United finish worst-ever Premier League season
14:03 , George FloodManchester United begin the day sitting 16th with only 39 points to their name after losing 18 of their 37 games so far in what is their worst-ever season in the Premier League by an absolute mile.
They could suffer the ignominy of finishing in 17th, just one place above the relegation zone if Europa League winners Tottenham - a point behind at the start of the day - better their result at home to Brighton.
United could finish up in 14th, but would need to win and hope that Wolves and West Ham come unstuck against Brentford and Ipswich respectively.
To put this utterly disastrous season into context, United’s worst-ever Premier League finish to date was eighth last season under Erik ten Hag, who still delivered the FA Cup.
Before that, it was when they finished seventh under David Moyes in 2013/14.
What they wouldn’t give to be in and around that area of the table now.
Another loss today would see them fail to break the 40-point mark, which would have been absolutely unthinkable in the summer, even after last season’s struggles.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa prediction
13:49Wednesday night would have been a bitter pill to swallow for Manchester United and it is hard to see Ruben Amorim galvanising this group of players for a fixture that ultimately means nothing.
Whereas Villa must win. There’s an argument that Unai Emery does tend to buckle when under pressure, but he will recognise this is a perfect time to finally register a win at Old Trafford.
Aston Villa to win, 2-0.
Aston Villa team news
13:47 , George FloodAston Villa loanee Marcus Rashford would have been ineligible to face his parent club today, but is still nursing a hamstring injury anyway.
Youri Tielemans is expected to be involved after returning to training on Friday following a calf issue that has seen him miss the last two games, while fellow midfielder Jacob Ramsey is back from a one-match suspension following his late sending off in the win at Bournemouth.
Tielemans, along with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, has also been strongly linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Manchester United team news
13:42 , George FloodThe only slight positive on an otherwise rubbish evening for Manchester United in Bilbao was the returns of Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot from injury.
Matthijs de Ligt remains doubtful, but Lisandro Martinez is now the club’s only long-term absentee.
Ruben Amorim can be expected to make more changes at Old Trafford this afternoon as he looks to prioritise players who will still be at the club next season amid a planned squad overhaul.
Bruno Fernandes should captain the side as usual despite transfer links to Saudi Arabia, but it remains to be seen if Alejandro Garnacho will be involved following reports that emerged yesterday that he has been told to find a new club by Amorim.
How to watch Manchester United vs Aston Villa
13:37TV channel: In the UK, today’s game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 3pm BST on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa live
13:35 , George FloodGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Manchester United vs Aston Villa on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The Red Devils follow their dismal Europa League final defeat by Tottenham in Bilbao in midweek with one last outing of a truly miserable top-flight campaign at home to an Aston Villa team still chasing Champions League qualification as part of a thrilling and crowded top-five battle that is going right down to the wire.
Kick-off this at Old Trafford this afternoon is at 4pm BST, so stay tuned for all your match build-up, breaking team news and live updates.
