Manchester United vs. Aston Villa live score, updates, highlights from Premier League

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick faces yet another challenging moment in his spell at the helm of Manchester United, when the Red Devils visit Villa Park against a reenergized Aston Villa side that could show off its new prized acquisitions.

Manchester United (seventh, 31 points) has its eyes set on a minimum fourth-place finish in the Premier League; a win could lift it to within a point of Arsenal, which currently occupies that slot. But Rangnick and Man United need more than just a victory: a strong performance would go a long way toward convincing players and fans the team is in fact on the right track with the German in charge.

A rare and lengthy Cristiano Ronaldo interview before this game shed light on issues that the superstar has observed inside United’s camp. Although he’ll sit out the Villa match due to injury, he says there are changes that need to be made and things that need to be “destroyed.” And he’s demanding teammates raise their game and change their mentality, especially those that have no time for his advice.

MORE: The revealing interview given by Cristiano Ronaldo

While Man United is coping with meeting its high expectations, Aston Villa (14th, 22 points) is looking to raise the bar for itself this season. The appointment of Steven Gerrard as manager has definitely proven a step in that direction. He has not only helped improve the team’s play, but also recruited two starters who could make their debut against Man United: playmaker Philippe Coutinho, from Barcelona, and left back Lucas Digne from Everton.

This should be a tight match between two quality sides — as their FA Cup third-round match on Monday proved. Man United won that game 1-0 at home, knocking Villa from the competition and setting up a compelling grudge match. Aston Villa won the first league match in September, a match that also finished 1-0.

Sporting News will follow the match live and provide live score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Aston Villa vs. Man United live score

Goals:
MANU — Bruno Fernandes — 6th min.

(All times Eastern)

Halftime: Aston Villa 0, Man United 1

Halftime: Man United wanted a convincing performance in this game and it got it for about 30 minutes of that first half. It didn’t matter that Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez gifted the Red Devils their goal — the lead was deserved. But then Aston Villa came on strong to end the half and a couple of stops by David De Gea kept the home team off the board.

Villa will continue to pour it on in the second half and there is sure to be plenty of buzz at Villa Park with the anticipated introduction of star midfielder Philippe Coutinho. We’ll see how Man United reacts when faced with the adversity and pressure that is sure to come.

43rd min.: Villa test De Gea again! Lucas Digne with the shot on goal on a cross from Ings, but De Gea moves well across the net to block it. Man United is slowly losing a grip on this game.

36th min.: Chance for Villa! Buendia with a corner kick flash header on goal, but De Gea’s reflexes are up to the task. Villa is upping the pressure here to end the half.

33rd min.: It’s end-to-end. Man United go the other way and Greenwood gets another shot off that forces a save from Emi Martinez. Anthony Elanga can’t get to the rebound. Good game to watch for the neutral.

32nd min.: On a quick transition, Villa gets its first shot on goal of the game as Ollie Watkins tests David De Gea, but it wasn’t a difficult attempt to stop.

31st min.: Now it’s Man United’s Nemanja Matic who receives a yellow for a foul on Danny Ings. But it’s a good foul, 45 yards from goal and it stops the build-up. Nothing comes of the free kick. Man United is defending comfortably.

27th min.: Lucas Digne gets his first yellow card as a Villa player for a foul on Diogo Dalot. Man United gets another shot off by Greenwood on the heels of that set piece. Another look for the visitors.

23rd min.: Anthony Elanga goes down in the box, but the referee and VAR say it’s a fair challenge in the box.

19th min.: Another good move from United. Alex Telles with the cross from the left that misses Cavani and the ball reaches Mason Greenwood whose shot is blocked by Emi Martinez charging off his line. Cavani is hurt and trying to shake it off.

12th min.: Positive play from Anthony Elanga who got the surprise start at left wing for Man United. He leaps over Villa right back Matty Cash to get to a lofted ball in the box, but the header goes off target.

6th min.: Man United scores! And what a gaffe by Villa’s Emiliano Martinez! Bruno Fernandes fires at goal and it goes through the goalkeeper’s arms and then through his legs. He’ll want that one back.

5th min.: Good start by Man United. The visitors are playing in Villa’s end and they’ve won a couple of corners and a couple of set pieces by being positive. There’s a confidence to the way Man United is knocking the ball around.

1st min.: We’re underway at Villa Park.

12:33 p.m.: The reception that Philippe Coutinho received at Villa Park. More love in one day than he received during his time at Barcelona.

12:04 p.m.: The January signings are going to be a big story around Villa. Here’s some background on the moves:

9:15 a.m.: Only one goal separated the two sides in their FA Cup third-round match at Old Trafford. This was the goal that gave the Red Devils the win:

Aston Villa vs. Man United projected lineups

Gerrard made it clear that new signings Digne and Coutinho will be available to play. Digne is starting at left back, knocking Matt Targett to the bench, where Coutinho starts his Aston Villa career.

Regular midfield starter John McGinn is suspended, with Morgan Sanson taking his place. Trezeguet and Bertrand Traore are at AFCON, and Marvelous Nakamba and Leon Bailey are out injured. Anwar El Ghazi was loaned out to Everton.

Aston Villa starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Emiliano Martinez (GK) — 27-Lucas Digne, 5-Tyrone Mings, 4-Ezri Konsa, 2-Matty Cash — 41-Jacob Ramsey, 6-Douglas Luiz, 8-Morgan Sanson — 10-Emiliano Buendia, 20-Danny Ings, 11-Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa subs (9): 12-Jed Steer (GK), 3-Matt Targett, Kaine Kesler Hayden, 47-Tim Iroegbunam, 30-Kortney Hause, 18-Ashley Young, 33-Carney Chukwuemeka, 35-Cameron Archer, 23-Philippe Coutinho

Although Rangnick was hopeful Ronaldo would be available for the Aston Villa match, he’ll sit out with the same pain that forced him to miss the FA Cup match. Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are surprise absences.

Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Phil Jones are back, though suspension will keep Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay from participating. Paul Pogba is still sidelined with a thigh injury, while two players are currently away at AFCON 2022: Eric Bailly and Hannibal Mejbri.

Manchester United starting lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): 1-David De Gea (GK) — 27-Alex Telles, 19-Raphael Varane, 2-Victor Lindelof, 20-Diogo Dalot — 31-Nemanja Matic, 17-Fred — 36-Anthony Elanga, 18-Bruno Fernandes (capt), 11-Mason Greenwood — 21-Edinson Cavani

Manchester United subs (8): 26-Dean Henderson (GK), 22-Tom Heaton (GK), 4-Phil Jones, 5-Harry Maguire, 34-Donny van de Beek, 8-Juan Mata, 14-Jesse Lingard, 25-Jadon Sancho

MORE: Updated Premier League top scorers

How to watch Aston Villa vs. Man United

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 15
• Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
• TV channel: NBC, Universo
• Streaming: fuboTV, Peacock (subscribers only)

Saturday’s match between Aston Villa and Manchester United from Villa Park will be broadcast on NBC network (English) and Universo (Spanish).

MORE: What happened to NBCSN? Premier League’s new TV home

Both channels can be streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free trial for new users.