Man Utd handed extra motivation to beat Crystal Palace

Manchester United could move up to third in the Premier League on Sunday after Aston Villa’s unexpected defeat against Wolves.

The race to secure qualification for the Champions League is on after Manchester United’s improved run of form under Michael Carrick.

Unbeaten since Carrick returned to the club as head coach in January, United are sitting fourth in the Premier League and in contention to achieve their main objective this season.

If the Red Devils keep winning football matches, and results elsewhere continue to go their way, there will be an even stronger likelihood of Champions League football at Old Trafford next season.

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Aston Villa defeat could see Man Utd jump to third in Premier League

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa dropped more points in the battle for Champions League football after a 2-0 defeat against rivals Wolves.

Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes were on target as Wolves recorded a Premier League win for the second time this season.

After a run of one win in their last five games, Villa run the risk of being overtaken in the league table by United when the Red Devils host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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It could get worse for Villa because they’ve also opened the door for Liverpool and Chelsea to breathe down their necks; granted, both teams can secure three points this weekend.

Villa have a huge game against Chelsea on Wednesday night as both teams will be looking to make progress in the race for a top-four finish.

Speaking to Sky Sports after losing 2-0 against Wolves, Villa star Morgan Rodgers admitted the pressure of the race for Champions League football is getting to the team.

Rodgers said (via BBC Sport): “It does weigh on us, but it shouldn’t. We deserve to be here, and we should not forget that.

“Our run lately has not been as good as usual, but that is the battle of the Premier League. We are going to get back to our good run of wins.

“We set our standards high, and we have the ability to win every game. Obviously, that is not realistic, but we are playing good football as a whole, and there is nothing to worry about.

“These are the games you want to play, and with so much on the line, we need to show why we deserve to be where we are.”

United shouldn’t need extra motivation to beat Palace and make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League, but they’ve got exactly that, thanks to Villa’s struggles of late.

It would be another bonus for Carrick and the team if West Ham could take points from Liverpool this weekend.

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When do Man Utd take on Aston Villa?

As noted above, Villa’s next Premier League game will see Emery’s side take on Chelsea.

It gets worse for Villa when you look at the league match that follows that, because they have to travel to face United.

United will be looking for revenge after losing 2-1 at Villa Park earlier this season. Matheus Cunha scored the only goal for the Red Devils, but that wasn’t enough as Rodgers completed a brace.

A lot has changed since that game, played on December 21, with United enjoying a new lease of life under Carrick.

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