This weekend's Premier League encounter between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park is set to be heavily impacted by a significant absentee list, with a combined 13 players potentially unavailable for the 4:30pm kick-off on Saturday, 21st December 2025.
Key Absences for Both Sides
United's preparations have been dealt a major blow with the suspension of influential midfielder Casemiro. The Brazilian picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the dramatic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, ruling him out automatically.
He is joined on the sidelines by defensive duo Harry Maguire (thigh) and Matthijs de Ligt (back), while the Africa Cup of Nations has called away Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo. Loan rules also prevent Jadon Sancho from facing his parent club, and Harvey Elliott is a doubt due to illness.
Villa's Selection Headaches
Unai Emery's Aston Villa are not without their own problems as they aim to keep pace with Arsenal and Manchester City at the top. First-choice goalkeeper Emi Martinez is a doubt as he recovers from a back issue.
The defensive ranks are particularly thin, with Tyrone Mings (hamstring) and Pau Torres (calf) both sidelined. Ross Barkley is out with a knee injury, and Evann Guessand is on international duty with the Ivory Coast at AFCON.
What's at Stake for United?
Despite the selection crisis, manager Ruben Amorim will be demanding a result that could see his team draw level on points with Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for the top four. A victory or even avoiding defeat would see United achieve a five-game unbeaten run for the second time this Premier League season.
United's attack has been in potent form, scoring eight goals in their last two outings—a 4-1 win over Wolves and that 4-4 thriller with Bournemouth. Maintaining that scoring streak against a depleted Villa side will be crucial to their ambitions.
