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

By Ben Ramsdale

Football Journalist

Published 14th Jan 2022, 14:10 GMT

Updated 14th Jan 2022, 14:20 GMT

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Villa will be without at least one key player for Saturday’s game with Manchester United

Aston Villa will be without Scotland midfielder John McGinn for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United.

The 27-year-old picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the defeat to Brentford last time out so will be forced to miss out on the rematch against the Reds.

John McGinn of Aston Villa takes on McTominay during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford — John McGinn of Aston Villa takes on McTominay during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford | Getty Images

John McGinn of Aston Villa takes on McTominay during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford — John McGinn of Aston Villa takes on McTominay during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford | Getty Images

McGinn was a key part of the midfield three that dominated the central area against United on Monday night and will be a tough act to replace on Saturday evening.

He won’t be the only Scot missing from the contest though.

Scott McTominay who was awarded man-of-the-match for his winning goal in the cup contest also has to sit this one out through suspension.

This leaves United with a likely duo of Fred and Nemanja Matic so whoever steps in for McGinn will be fancying their chances to replicate another dominant midfield performance, this time on home turf.

Here’s Villa’s full lowdown of absentees ahead of the clash.

Injured or unavailable players

Marvelous Nakamba

Injury: Knee

Potential return date: March 2022

Leon Bailey

Injury: Thigh

Potential return date: February 2022

John McGinn

Suspension: Return Everton (H) 22/01/2022

Bertrand Traore

International: AFCON

Trezeguet

International: AFCON

Likely: Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Trezeguet (Egypt), Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe)
Games impacted: Jan 2: Brentford (A); Jan 15: Man Utd (H); Jan 22: Everton (A); Feb 8: Leeds (H) — Likely: Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Trezeguet (Egypt), Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe) Games impacted: Jan 2: Brentford (A); Jan 15: Man Utd (H); Jan 22: Everton (A); Feb 8: Leeds (H)

Likely: Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Trezeguet (Egypt), Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe)
Games impacted: Jan 2: Brentford (A); Jan 15: Man Utd (H); Jan 22: Everton (A); Feb 8: Leeds (H) — Likely: Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Trezeguet (Egypt), Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe) Games impacted: Jan 2: Brentford (A); Jan 15: Man Utd (H); Jan 22: Everton (A); Feb 8: Leeds (H)

How to watch

If you’re not able to get down to Villa Park on Saturday, the game will be live on Sky Sports from 17:00 (GMT) with kick-off scheduled for 17:30.

Alternatively, you can follow BirminghamWorld’s football reporter @benaramsdale for live minute-by-minute updates from Villa Park.

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