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Unai Emery will truly see how his players will manage the hectic fixture schedule when his Aston Villa side host Manchester United this Sunday.

Aston Villa are on cloud nine after securing an incredible 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Jhon Duran was the hero once more as his excellent finish 10 minutes from time sent Villa Park into raptures and handed the hosts a memorable victory.

For Unai Emery and his players, the focus now switches back to matters in the Premier League, where Villa have won four of their six matches.

Most recently dropping two points against Ipswich Town, Aston Villa will want to erase that draw from their minds and instead replicate Emery’s perfect game plan from the Bayern win, starting against United.

Paul Merson shares Aston Villa vs Man United score prediction

Just like Villa, Man United are having to juggle their European campaign with their Premier League exertions.

On Thursday night, the Red Devils threw away a two-goal lead away at Porto and it looked for all the world they were going to lose 3-2 until Harry Maguire popped up with a late equaliser.

Despite salvaging a point in the Europa League, Erik ten Hag arrives at Villa Park under immense pressure from the board and supporters.

Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson thinks Emery’s men can add to that as he predicts Villa to clinch a 2-1 victory over United on Sunday.

“Match of the week, definitely. Aston Villa are coming off the back of the greatest result they’ve probably had in the last 30 years,” Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda.

“Manchester United, on the other hand. are playing really bad football at the moment. But quite honestly, I think it’s a good time for United to be playing Villa because of their midweek battle against Bayern Munich.

“Unai Emery’s men left everything out there during that 1-0 win over the Bundesliga giants. Then again, it’s still really difficult to look past anything but a win for Villa in this one.

“Emery is a great coach and all his players have improved so much under him. This is why I’m backing Villa to win this game.”

Unai Emery’s major decision vs Man United

Following another heroic moment from the bench, Duran is banging on the door for a start in the Premier League.

Merson thinks Duran will be left on the bench against Man United once more however, there is the possibility of Emery playing Ollie Watkins next to the Colombian, especially if Jacob Ramsey isn’t fit to start.

Although doing so would sacrifice the quality that Morgan Rogers brings centrally, as he’d likely be switched out to the left with Duran and Watkins occupying space centrally.

Emery is perhaps happy with the current dynamic of his Villa squad and doesn’t need to change it but once again, the 20-year-old forward has given the Spaniard food for thought as he continues his scoring streak.

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