Weekend Preview: Can Villa hold off Man United?

The Athletic FC Podcast

02/09/24

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47m

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Adam Leventhal returns to preview a bumper weekend of football ahead, including the Premier League as well as title matchups in Germany and Spain, and two international cup finals.

The Premier League matchweek is headlined by fourth-place Villa welcoming eighth-place Manchester United to Villa Park. Both are chasing Champions League football, and Villa could open up an 11-point gap over the visitors.

Elsewhere Manchester City welcome Everton hoping to extended their winning run to 10 games in all competitions, and Spurs head to Brighton in another eye-catching fixture.

Saturday also sees the top two in Spain and Germany face off, with Jon MacKenzie filling us in on all the ramifications of Real Madrid vs Girona and Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich.

And finally, both the Asian Cup and AFCON tournaments come to an end this weekend - we preview both finals.

Previous Episode

Has this been the best AFCON ever?

February 8, 2024

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50m

After four weeks of showcasing what the continent has to offer, the Africa Cup of Nations is down to a final two.

Hosts Ivory Coast play Nigeria in Sunday’s showpiece final in what has been the most thrilling AFCON in decades.

But what’s made it so good? Has the on-pitch drama been matched by the eyeballs watching the tournament?

And what does AFCON need to do off the pitch to match the success on it?

Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Ivory Coast defender, and 2012 AFCON runner-up, Sol Bamba as well as The Athletic's Jay Harris to discuss and debate what has made AFCON 2023 such a success.

Produced by Guy Clarke

Additional Production by Mike Stavrou

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

The story of Amad Diallo – and the man accused of trafficking him to Europe - The Athletic

AFCON finally has African managers. But the rest of the world has not caught up - The Athletic

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Next Episode

Is this another false dawn at Man United?

February 12, 2024

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37m

Manchester United's 2-1 win at Villa Park on Sunday made it four consecutive wins for the first time this season, but what is the significance of that?

Have Erik Ten Hag's side got a realistic shot at recovering their hopes of securing Champions League qualification, or is this latest run just the latest false dawn at Old Trafford ahead of a summer reset?

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Man United writer Laurie Whitwell to discuss what's been behind the recent revival and how long it may be able to go on for.

Produced by Guy Clarke

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

McTominay’s seven goals have earned Man United 12 points. What does it say about Ten Hag’s side? - The Athletic

Manchester United finally have ‘foundation’ to develop young players – Erik ten Hag - The Athletic

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