Manchester United vs Aston Villa

Old Trafford sets the stage for a high-stakes Premier League final-day clash between Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Arguably Manchester United’s worst season in 50 years suffered a knockout punch in midweek Europa League action as Tottenham beat them 1-0 in the grand final, denying Ruben Amorim’s side a last chance to return to the Champions League. Already consigned to their worst finish in the Premier League era, Man Utd will be out to avoid the ignominy of a humiliating 17th place amid talks the club could sack the ex-Sporting CP boss in the summer. Amorim will at least try to bow out in style and help United avoid a 19th top-flight defeat this season. He can take heart from the fact only Arsenal (23) have won their final Premier League match of the season than the Red Devils (22). Moreover, his side had beaten Villa in four consecutive H2Hs before a scoreless draw in October’s reverse fixture.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa must take three points at Old Trafford to secure Champions League qualification for a second season on the trot. Even a win may not be enough, even though they start the round level on points with third-placed Newcastle. Indeed, they commence the final matchday narrowly outside the top five, meaning they need either Newcastle or Chelsea to drop points. Confident of holding up their end of the deal, Villa head into proceedings having won nine of their last 11 league outings (L2), including all three since the start of May. Worryingly for Unai Emery’s side, they’ve won only one of their past 26 league fixtures on the final day to come on the road (D7, L18).