Manchester United have two chances to prove their Champions League credentials

Had Manchester United's Champions League campaign not been such a catastrophic failure, Sunday's trip to Aston Villa would have marked the beginning of a three-game week for Erik ten Hag.

Instead, a week that will start in the Midlands will end in Bedfordshire without a European fixture sandwiched in between. United fought tooth and nail to get back into Europe's premier club competition last season, meaning their exit from it prior to Christmas was disappointing to say the least.

But such is the way their Premier League campaign has unfolded thus far, a clean break between two vitally important league fixtures might not be such a bad thing. United are on the up again after wins over Wolves and West Ham United.

READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives presentation to United academy

READ MORE: Why Garnacho, Mainoo and Hojlund aren't in confirmed United Premier League squad

Those two victories, which were recorded less than 72 hours apart, have strengthened United's outside chances of finishing inside the top four this season. They enter the Premier League weekend in sixth, eight points behind fourth-placed Villa, highlighting the sheer size of Sunday's showdown at Villa Park.

United beat Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day in an impressive second half comeback and it is a result that appears to have somewhat jolted Villa's top four charge. With the exception of their 5-0 romping of Sheffield United last weekend, Unai Emery's side have not been as expansive as they were prior to Christmas. Wednesday night's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in their FA Cup fourth-round replay marking a second successive home defeat by a 3-1 scoreline.

Emery has demanded a reaction from his players ahead of Sunday but United should be looking