Absence of Key Players Color Aston Villa vs Manchester United Duel

Aston Villa versus Manchester united (@ESPNSport)

JAKARTA - The 17th week of the English League will bring Aston Villa together with Manchester United (MU). The Villans will host the Red Devils without some of their key injured players.

From the home side, Aston Villa coach Unai Emery hopes that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez can return to strengthen the team after missing the previous two matches against Basel and West Ham United.

"Emiliano is showing good progress. He is training individually and his condition is much better. Tomorrow we will decide if he is available for Sunday or not," said Emery.

However, Villa is certain to still miss Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, and Ross Barkley who have not recovered from injuries. Meanwhile, Liverpool's loan player, Harvey Elliott, is absent due to illness. Winger Jadon Sancho also cannot be played because he is on loan from the same club.

"Tyrone is still injured, but his condition is improving. Maybe in the next few weeks he can come back. Pau Torres is more or less the same, maybe one or two weeks. Ross Barkley is still injured for a longer time. Elliott is sick and did not practice today or yesterday," said Emery.

Interestingly, former Manchester United player Victor Lindelof is now part of Villa's squad and has the chance to face his former club in the match.

Manchester United is confirmed to appear without Casemiro when traveling to Aston Villa's headquarters in the English League continuation match, Sunday night. The Brazilian midfielder must serve a one-match suspension after receiving a yellow card in the 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, Monday night.

In addition to Casemiro, United also cannot be strengthened by Noussair Mazraoui, Amad, and Bryan Mbeumo who are defending their respective countries at the Africa Cup of Nations. Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim also confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire were absent in the match which was scheduled to kick-off at 16.30 GMT at Villa Park.

De Ligt and Maguire are still recovering from injuries at Carrington. Amorim said the condition of the other players was relatively ready for the match.

"I think everyone is in good condition. We still have one training session, but so far the players are ready to play. There are no additional recovered or absent players, only the names you already know," Amorim said in a press conference ahead of the match.

The Portuguese coach also assessed Kobbie Mainoo's performance as promising when he entered as a substitute in the match against Bournemouth. Mainoo also has the opportunity to be included in the starting list.

"If he plays, he will play. If not, then he doesn't play," Amorim said briefly.

Here are the predictions for the Aston Villa vs Manchester United line-up.

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)

Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Konsa, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins.

Manchester United (3-4-2-1)

Lammens; Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Dalot, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Sesko