The hour is growing late in the Premier League, and and time is fast running out in the various races going on across England. For Manchester United, their quest for the top four is getting desperate, and for Aston Villa, their hope of simply staying alive and being in the EPL next season is all but dead and buried.
Manchester United vs. Aston Villa 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
It’s do-or-die time for both teams, but in two very different ways.
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Making matters worse for Aston Villa is their history against their opponent. It’s been five and a half years since they’ve beaten Manchester United in any competition, and in the more than two decades of the Premier League they’ve beaten United just three times in league play, and twice more in domestic cups. That’s not a particularly inspiring record to see with the Villains in such dire straits, and it looks as though the mood in Birmingham will be very low indeed come the end of the day.
What’s at stake
Manchester United are four points out of the top four, so they can’t get into the Champions League places with a win in this match, even if Manchester City lose. Despite that, a win and a favorable result in City’s match would be in United’s best interests, especially a win with a large goal differential. That would greatly increase their odds of finishing in the top four and being in the Champions League next season. A loss, though, would be a big setback for that particular dream.
For Aston Villa, the situation is bleak. They may already be relegated by the time the match even starts -- a win or draw for Norwich City in their match against Sunderland in the first EPL match of the day will see any faint hope Villa have of staying up ended. Even if Norwich do lose, however, Aston Villa have to win this match or they’re done for.
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Adnan Januzaj, Will Keane, Luke Shaw In doubt: Ander Herrera
Aston Villa injuries and suspensions
Out: Jordan Amavi In doubt: Libor Kozak
Match Date/Time: Sat., 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet regional networks (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada)
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