Paul Merson fires Aston Villa warning after Man United defeat and makes new prediction

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have now suffered three successive home defeats

Paul Merson says Aston Villa must win their next game if they are to maintain the race for top four alive after they were condemned to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United.

Villa have suffered three consecutive defeats at Villa Park following previous losses against Newcastle United and Chelsea. It is the first time this has happened during Unai Emery’s reign.

Rasmus Hojlund struck in the first half before Villa found a deserved equaliser just after the hour mark. Villa struggled to gain the lead despite having some chances of their own and in the end, Scott McTominay came off the bench to head the winner for United.

LIVE: Aston Villa 1-2 Man Utd highlights and ratings after third consecutive home defeat

Emery’s side had only lost once at home in all competitions before last week. They have since suffered back-to-back 3-1 defeats to the Magpies and Chelsea.

United have now beaten Villa for a fourth consecutive time in all competitions after they come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Boxing Day at Old Trafford.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said after the game: “With so many games on the trot winning, I think they’ve just slowed down slightly now. With both teams trying to win, I thought they’d be happy to sit out a 1-1 draw if I’m being honest and the momentum has definitely changed now.

“They need to really get a win soon, next week really, if they want a chance of keeping the fight going and I thought they deserved something out of the game – at least a draw.”

Villa remain fifth in the table, one point behind Tottenham in fourth and five points ahead of United in sixth.

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