Preview: United Women v Villa at Old Trafford

Marc Skinner's side have lost just once domestically this season, with the onus now on continuing to climb the table ahead of a busy December period. Our clash with Villa will also be just the second occasion the Reds have played in front of our supporters at the Theatre of Dreams.

This fixtures follows our most recent last-gasp win over Arsenal at the Emirates, in which United scored twice in the final 10 minutes, clawing the game back from a losing position to emerge 3-2 victors. Ella Toone had opened the scoring in the first half, before Millie Turner and Alessia Russo hit back late on to inflict a first defeat of the campaign for the Gunners.

With a bumper crowd expected in M16, it is set to be another afternoon to remember. Below are all the key details you need ahead of the clash...

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

Tickets remain available for all fans wishing to be a part of yet another special occasion at Old Trafford and can be purchased online here. Priced at a bargain £6 for adults and a £3 for both under 16’s and over 65’s, the Reds will hope to continue our menacing start to the season, in front of our very own supporters. 

Alternatively, you can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage set to get under way an hour prior to the 12:30 BST kick-off. There will also be pre-match build-up, live radio commentary and all the reaction after the final whistle on MUTV, while we will also keep you in the know with what's going on at the Theatre of Dreams throughout the afternoon in the United App and on ManUtd.com.

TEAM NEWS

Aoife Mannion continues to step up her recovery from the ACL injury she sustained back in January, with the 27-year-old defender hoping to return to action by January 2023.

Providing a full update following his players' return from the recent international break, Skinner insisted an otherwise clean bill of health is helping with his team selection.

“Since they’ve come back in, there have been no absentees,” Skinner told journalists on Thursday afternoon. “We have a full squad to pick from.”

On Mannion, he continued: “Aoife has been training but still won’t be ready [to play until] after Christmas, I imagine, but she’s progressing nicely, she’s in training with the team, albeit modified slightly. 

“But yeah, she’s progressing nicely so, hopefully, after Christmas [she’ll be back].”

THE OPPOSITION

Since beating Manchester City 4-3 on the opening day of the season, Carla Ward's side have endured a mixed WSL campaign so far. 

However, Villa forward Rachel Daly will be a player for the Reds to watch out for, as she is currently the division's joint-top scorer with eight goals, alongside City striker Khadija Shaw. Daly also scored last time United Women faced Ward's side, in the Continental Tyres League Cup back in October.

United winger Kirsty Hanson is also currently on a season-long loan with Villa, as she looks to benefit from consistent game-time.

FORM GUIDE

Currently sat fifth in the WSL standings, Villa enter into the clash at Old Trafford having won their last two clashes against Liverpool and Reading.

Losing just once on the road so far this season, Ward's side will no doubt be a tough nut to crack, having found the net twelve times during their opening seven domestic encounters.

Looking to build on a respectable 10th-placed finish last campaign, the Villans will hope to spoil the part at the Theatre of Dreams, with an excited crowd expected.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Suffering a penalty shootout defeat against the Lions at the start of October in the Conti Cup, Skinner's side will hope to avenge our defeat in front our fans.

Having drawn 1-1 after full-time, with Daly's goal cancelling out Parris' opener, Villa emerged 4-3 victors in the shootout.

Facing off six times before, our opponents have failed to emerge victorious after 90 minutes on all occasions. We claimed a 5-0 success over the Villans last season, with Ella Toone (2), Martha Thomas, Lucy Staniforth and Katie Zelem all on target. Our reverse fixture ended 0-0.

WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?

Six WSL fixtures are set to be played across the weekend, with our title rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City also in action.

SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER

UNITED v Aston Villa (12:30 GMT)

Arsenal v Everton

Leicester v Chelsea (15:00 GMT)

SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER

Reading v Tottenham (12:30 GMT)

Man City v Brighton

Liverpool v West Ham

Kick-off times are 14:00 GMT unless stated.