When Manchester United host Aston Villa on New Year’s Day, they will have their No. 1 in goal, despite the very painful incident he endured last night, in the win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
David de Gea, in the 82nd minute of United’s “Fergie Time” style 1-0 victory at home over Wolves, had a nasty collision with the visiting side’s Adama Traore. The clash saw the Spaniard get the win knocked out of him.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa FYIs
Kickoff: 8pm GMT Friday Jan 1
United Starting XI Prediction: go here
TV (US): NBCSN Streaming: NBCSports.com
Odds: United -143, Villa +333, Draw +300
Table Position: United 2nd, 30 points Aston Villa 5th, 24 points
Form Guide: United WDWWD Aston Villa DWWDW
“He’s one of the strongest players in the Premier League so it was very painful in my arm and in my stomach but it was fine,” De Gea said.
“We win the game, so everything’s fine. I feel very well. It was just when I hit Traore it was painful. I couldn’t breathe, but it was fine.”
Elsewhere, central defender Victor Lindelof (back) could get the night off here, but he’s been battling pain and discomfort all season long, so perhaps he’ll play through it once again.
Defenders Marcos Rojo (calf) and Phil Jones (knee) remain out long term, and we won’t see them until will into new year.
For Aston Villa, the only key absentee to note is Tyrone Mings, who is suspended.
Prediction: United 2, Villa 1
It’s going to be tooth and nail, a hard fought match to the end, but last night’s thrilling win over Wolves, a team United has really struggled with recently, made me a true believer in them.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank, partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.