Aston Villa saw one of their chances at ending a near three-decade wait for a major trophy end in midweek as they crashed out of the FA Cup following a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Unai Emery now arguably has only the Europa Conference League to aim for if he wishes to win something this season, and considering West Ham United were victorious last term, it could pave the way for Villa to follow suit in May.

The Spaniard will now turn his attention to the Premier League clash against Manchester United tomorrow afternoon, as the Red Devils make their way to the Midlands.

Erik ten Hag’s side are on a decent run of form, winning four of their previous five matches and remaining undefeated in 2024.

The 52-year-old manager may make some changes to his team following the below-par performance against a struggling Blues side in midweek…

1 GK – Emiliano Martínez

The Argentine will not be displaced from the starting XI ahead of what could be a vital fixture for both teams tomorrow.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper conceded three times against United during the 3-2 defeat on Boxing Day last year, yet he has kept a clean sheet in two of his previous three league matches, and hopefully he will secure another one on Sunday.

2 RB – Matty Cash

The English-born Poland international will start his first league match since the 3-1 defeat against Newcastle United at the end of January and Emery will be looking for him to make an impact against United.

Cash did win four out of his five duels against Chelsea and succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts and made two key passes. Another display like this could help Villa massively.

3 CB – Diego Carlos

With Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa out injured, the Brazilian has come into the starting XI and performed solidly enough.

He completed 91% of his passes and won four out of six aerial duels against the Blues, but they still found the back of the net three times, and he will have to be wary against United, especially with the form they are in currently.

4 CB – Pau Torres

The towering "Rolls-Royce" – as described by journalist Graeme Bailey – was named on the bench for the defeat in midweek but could make his return form injury tomorrow, with the pairing of Diego Carlos and Clement Lenglet shipping three goals.

The £100k-per-week talent was reportedly a target for the Red Devils prior to the signing of Lisandro Martinez in 2022 and could prove a key figure in dowing Ten Hag's men at Villa Park.

5 LB – Alex Moreno

Lucas Digne is nearing a return to action, but the clash against Ten Hag’s men tomorrow could come too soon for the Frenchman.

This means Moreno will make his eighth start in a row and, since returning to the first team following an injury, he has scored three goals in just 15 matches, suggesting that he is a decent goal threat.

6 CM – Douglas Luiz

Arguably one of Villa’s most important players this season. Luiz has transformed his game and has emerged as a more attacking threat this season.

This is evidenced by the fact he has registered 14 goal contributions in all competitions – seven goals and seven assists, while his influence will be crucial against United tomorrow.

7 CM – Boubacar Kamara

The Frenchman has missed just four league matches during the 2023/24 campaign – all down to suspension – and when he is fit and available, he forms a solid partnership with Luiz in the middle of the pitch.

The Brazilian tends to push forward more often than Kamara, but the former Marseille gem provides a reliable defensive acumen which helps protect the back four.

8 RW – Leon Bailey

If Luiz is one of Villa’s most important players this term, then Bailey has every right to be considered as one of the most improved.

Last term, he managed only nine goal contributions – five goals and four assists – while this season, the Jamaican has already scored ten times and grabbed nine assists in all competitions, firmly establishing himself as the main attacking outlet on the right flank, and he will start against the Red Devils.

9 AM – Moussa Diaby

Although usually deployed on the wing for Bayer Leverkusen, Diaby has found himself operating in a number of positions this season and against the Red Devils, he could play in the number ten role, just behind Watkins.

He scored his sixth goal of the season against Chelsea in midweek after coming off the bench, and he will replace Youri Tielemans in the starting XI.

The Belgian completed just 60% of his passes and lost possession ten times during his time on the pitch, thus meaning he should drop to the bench.

10 LW – John McGinn

The captain is another name who finds himself as a key performer under Emery, with the Scot starting all but two matches this season, scoring eight goals in the process.

He found the back of the net during the last clash against the Old Trafford side and Emery will be hoping he can repeat the trick tomorrow, albeit with a different result at the end of the game.