Man Utd v Aston Villa: Unai Emery aiming to end Old Trafford hoodoo

Unai Emery has claimed Manchester United will pose as big a test as Barcelona as he tries to end his and Villa’s Old Trafford hoodoo.

The Spaniard is winless in 11 career visits to the ground, the five most recent being with Villa, who have won there just twice since 1983.

Sunday’s Premier League clash would appear to present the ideal chance to begin changing the record with the home side having won just one of their first nine matches and boss Michael Carrick clinging on to his job by a thread.

But Emery believes the Red Devils will eventually come good and has warned his players they face a challenge just as tough as Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Barca, in which they were beaten 3-0.

“We did not win one match there (at Old Trafford) in four years,” he said. “We even lost in the first Carabao Cup match we played there, 4-2. Man United is a fantastic club.

“They are performing very well and achieved Champions League, and this year they are playing well in the Champions League.

“They have not been consistent in the league, but they should recover it, hopefully not against us. It is a very difficult match.”

Emery suffered one of the lowest points of his Villa reign at Old Trafford when a controversial 2-0 defeat on the final day of the 2024-25 season cost them Champions League qualification.

He continued: “We lost to Barcelona because of the level we faced; this is the highest level in the Champions League.

“Man United is at the same level as Barcelona. This is the work that we are trying to set with the players.”

The Villa boss described himself as “positive but worried” by the progression of his rebuilt team.

Last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Fulham was seen as a “step back” and while Emery has been encouraged by some performances, he acknowledges they need to start picking up more points.

“I am positive because we should do it, getting better and better each match,” he said.

“I am worried because we have a lack of points and, in some moments, we don't perform enough to win matches.”

Emery is facing a big defensive headache should Aaron Wan-Bissaka not be fit to face his former club.

Wan-Bissaka is close to returning from a hamstring injury but Emery will only know on Saturday if he is available. Villa’s first-choice right-back, Matty Cash, will miss the match through suspension after collecting five bookings.