By Kunle Mudasiru
Villa Park is the centre of attraction this weekend in the English Premier League as Aston Villa and Manchester United square off against each other in Match Day 7 of the season.
The Villans made a promising start to the season, but they head into the match following a slim 2-2 draw with newcomers Ipswich Town. As always, a man to watch in the home team will be key attacker Ollie Watkins, who scored his fourth goal of the season against the Tractor Boys, while both John McGinn and Tyrone Mings are out of contention with injuries. Wing-back Matty Cash is unlikely to be risked.
The Red Devils, on the other hand, suffered a heavy 3-0 loss to Tottenham in front of home fans, but it has to be noted that Bruno Fernandes went to an early shower. As the Portugal ace misses Sunday’s showdown through suspension, we are tempted to put our money on Unai Emery’s troops, who are a real force to be reckoned with at home. All Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw remain in the recovery room.
High-flying Chelsea will look to extend their winning run in the Premier League to four games when they face Nottingham Forest in yet another home fixture. The Blues outplayed Brighton 4-2 at the weekend, with Cole Palmer scoring each of the four goals and, no doubt, the former Man City ace is going to prove a handful for the opposition back-line. Reece James remains in the recovery room, but the pacey right-back should be the only absentee in the home team.
The Reds, on the other hand, failed to impress in a 1-0 loss to Fulham and given Chelsea’s brilliant form in all competitions, anything but a routine home win would be a big surprise.
Midfielders Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo remain in the recovery room, but there are no fresh injury worries in the away team ahead of the trip to London. In their last meeting in the Premier League Chelsea defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2.
