Aston Villa vs Manchester United: Injury news, likely return dates of key players and where to watch

Aston Villa start their FA Cup journey on Monday evening with a less than favourable draw away at Manchester United.

The claret & blue will be without a number of players for the big game for various reasons but will still fancy their chances of coming away with their name in the hat for round four.

Villa have already got a victory to their name at Old Trafford this season.

A late goal from Kortney Hause back in September was enough to hand the Villans their first win inside the Theatre of Dreams for over a decade.

But it’s a different game for a number of reasons this time around.

Both teams will have different managers in their respective dugouts and both are desperate for a win in their own right.

Steven Gerrard, on his first appearance back at Old Trafford as a manager will want nothing more than to get one up on his old foe whereas Ralf Rangnick will be doing everything to assure his men aren’t on the receiving end of a second successive home defeat.

Whilst we tend to see teams rotate in cup competition, expect that rotation to be held to the bare minimum for this one.

With that said, here are the players that certainly won’t be available for the Villa.

Injured or unavailable players

Marvelous Nakamba

Knee

Potential return date: March 2022

Leon Bailey

Thigh

Potential return date: February 2022

Bertrand Traore

AFCON

Trezeguet

AFCON

How to watch

If you’re not making the trip to Old Trafford - the game will be aired live on BBC from 19:30 (GMT). Kick-off is scheduled for 19:55.

Follow BirminghamWorld’s football reporter @benaramsdale for live minute-by-minute updates from Manchester.

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