TNT Sports is set to broadcast a highly anticipated match on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, featuring Manchester United hosting Aston Villa. This encounter holds significant implications for the visitors, as they aim to secure a spot in next year’s prestigious UEFA Champions League. A top-five finish in the league is essential for qualification to this elite European tournament, adding an extra layer of intensity to the match.
Currently, the Premier League standings show Liverpool as champions, alongside second-placed Arsenal, both of whom have already clinched their places in the Champions League for next season. This leaves five teams competing for the remaining three spots, namely Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest. As the final match approaches, the competition among these clubs is heating up, with each team keen on cementing their European presence.
Aston Villa, under the managerial guidance of Unai Emery, is particularly eager to return to Champions League action after having enjoyed a respectable campaign in the current season. The Villans made a notable impact in European competition, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they faced a formidable Paris Saint-Germain side that ultimately went on to the finals. Holding the sixth position in the Premier League, Villa’s standing is precarious as they chase Chelsea, who currently occupy fifth place, and Newcastle, sitting in fourth. The current point tally sees City just two points ahead of Villa, while Nottingham Forest lurks one point behind.
For Villa to have any serious chance at securing Champions League football, a victory at the iconic Old Trafford on Sunday is almost essential. Fortunately for the visitors, the circumstances could tilt in their favor. Manchester United will have just returned from their UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, which may potentially catch them off guard as they transition back to domestic duties.
As for United, their current league campaign has been less than stellar, leaving them in a lowly 16th position. The Manchester side, under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, appears to have remarkably little motivation to compete intensely, which may allow Villa to exploit weaknesses. Aston Villa’s current form, however, stands in stark contrast; they have been in excellent shape, winning eight of their last nine league encounters. This form indicates that they are clearly in a state of momentum heading into their crucial clash.
One notable absence from the match will be loanee Marcus Rashford, who will be unable to participate against his childhood club due to the stipulations of his temporary transfer agreement. This could affect Manchester United’s overall attacking options, adding further intrigue to the match-up, regardless of the outcome.
Nonetheless, regardless of how Sunday’s game transpires, Aston Villa can take comfort in the fact that they have already secured some level of European football for the upcoming season. Mathematically, they cannot drop below the seventh spot in the table – which ensures either a berth in the UEFA Conference League or an improved position for potential qualification to the Europa League if they can secure a sixth-place finish.
For fans keen not to miss this thrilling fixture, comprehensive coverage will be provided by TNT Sports. The clash between Manchester United and Aston Villa will go live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, and through discovery+. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 UK time, and viewers can access TNT Sports across major TV platforms including BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. To locate pubs and establishments showing the match, fans can utilize the dedicated Pub Finder tool offered by TNT Sports, ensuring that supporters can gather together to witness this vital fixture of the Premier League finale.