Match preview: United Women v Aston Villa

After back-to-back 1-1 draws - away to Brighton and when hosting Arsenal - Marc Skinner's side seek a return to winning ways, coming up against a Villa side who have struggled so far, taking just two points from their opening six Barclays Women’s Super League matches.

Scroll down for more information you need to know ahead of the game…

HOW CAN I WATCH THE GAME?

All United fans can purchase tickets for the 18:45 GMT kick-off at Leigh Sports Village by going to tickets.manutd.com.

Alternatively, supporters who cannot attend can watch the action live on Sky Sports in the UK.

Live radio commentary will also be available on ManUtd.com, while there will be rolling coverage and updates in our app. Highlights will be across club platforms to watch from Monday.

WHAT’S THE TEAM NEWS?

The Reds were boosted by the return of trio Melvine Malard, Geyse and Jayde Riviere, who all came on as substitutes against the Gunners last Sunday in our first game after the international break.

However, Anna Sandberg and Evie Rabjohn, who have both been nursing knee problems, were absent from the matchday squad.

Marc Skinner could provide an update on the players in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa will welcome left-back Paula Tomas into the squad after she completed a three-match ban caused by her red card against Brighton.

Former United midfielder Lucy Staniforth made her comeback from a knee injury as a substitute in their 2-1 home defeat by Liverpool last weekend.

It remains to be seen if Jill Baijings, Rachel Corsie, Anna Leat and Georgia Mullett will have recovered from their injury issues in time to feature. Sofie Lundgaard and Faye Kirby are both long-term absentees with anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

United have a strong record against the Villans, winning 10 of the sides’ previous 12 meetings and are yet to taste defeat.

Last season’s clashes were tight affairs, with the Reds running out 2-1 winners in both league meetings.

Nikita Parris netted twice in front of our fans at Leigh in the first period, before Rachel Daly’s penalty in the second half halved the deficit.

CURRENT FORM

The unbeaten Reds go into the weekend’s action sitting fourth in the WSL table, having won three and drawn two of our five games so far.

Skinner’s charges are two points adrift of third-placed Brighton and five behind leaders Manchester City - both of whom have played a game more than us.

Last time out, Malard’s late equaliser earned a point against Arsenal on a day of milestones for the Reds. Millie Turner made her 150th club appearance, Skinner managed his 100th game and there was a club record crowd of 8,348 spectators for a United Women fixture at Leigh Sports Village.

Our opponents, meanwhile, are still searching for a first league win under manager Robert de Pauw. Their only two points have come in home draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City.

The Villans have lost all three of their away league games, including a narrow 2-1 defeat to table-topping City in their final outing before the international break - which included a first WSL goal for Gabi Nunes.

De Pauw’s 10th-placed side are one of three teams still winless, along with West Ham United and Everton.

RIVALS WATCH

There is a full slate of league games happening elsewhere this weekend. Here’s the full list…

FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER

Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion (19:00 GMT)

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (19:30 GMT)

SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER

Liverpool v Chelsea (12:30 GMT)

Crystal Palace v Everton (14:00 GMT)

West Ham v Leicester City (15:00 GMT)

UNITED v Aston Villa (18:45 GMT)

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