United can press Villa's right side, but Villa can also escape into the space behind United's advanced defenders. The first goal may bring another wave from either team rather than settle the game. Hoffenheim should win early territory against Schalke's back four. Schalke's ability to clear that wave and build a later outlet will decide whether the score stays narrow.
Cash is suspended and Wan-Bissaka is being assessed, so Villa's right side must cope with Cunha and Dalot. United's Baleba is out after starting against Roma, and Martínez is suspended domestically despite appearing in that European game; Villa can use Kamara and McGinn to connect Jackson into that central space. United's recent league first chances did not consistently become a winning follow-up, while Villa showed a strong box chance supply even in the Bournemouth cup loss. That's why I'm siding with Aston Villa to avoid defeat.
Hoffenheim's press and Prass can create the first box shots, but their probable team omits Kramarić, who played the full Palace match and remains a possible starter rather than a confirmed absence. Moerstedt is unavailable, and the bench looks thin for another long attacking wave. Schalke's club has medically cleared Gosens and El-Faouzi after both missed Leipzig, giving their left side a route to release Karaman and Džeko. Schalke's compact spell at Cologne and longer recovery make me side with Schalke to keep this close.
