Both sides put unbeaten records on the line today. United have gone six games without defeat; one more than Villa.
As for Villa, Dean Smith makes just a single alteration from the draw at Chelsea. Tyrone Mings returns from suspension to partner Ezri Konsa in the heart of defence, with Kortney Hause dropping to the bench. Ross Barkley misses out as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes three changes to the side that earned a last-gasp win over Wolves last time out. There are recalls for Luke Shaw, Fred and Anthony Martial. Edinson Cavani misses out through suspension, while Victor Lindelof is ruled out with a back problem.
SUBS: Tom Heaton, Kortney Hause, Neil Taylor, Ahmed Elmohamady, Frederic Guilbert, Marvelous Nakamba, Conor Hourihane, Jacob Ramsey, Keinan Davis.
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Matt Targett; John McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Bertrand Traore, Jack Grealish (captain), Anwar El Ghazi; Ollie Watkins.
SUBS: Dean Henderson, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe, Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Daniel James, Mason Greenwood.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-1-2): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire (captain), Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw; Paul Pogba, Fred, Scott McTominay; Bruno Fernandes; Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial.
It is second against fifth in the Premier League. Victory for United would move them level on points with leaders Liverpool, while a Villa win would put them within a point of the Red Devils.
Hello everyone and a very happy New Year to you all! We kick off 2021 with coverage of the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford.