Man Utd v Aston Villa
Man Utd
Aston Villa
Wayne Rooney has scored 12 Premier League goals against Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
- Venue: Old Trafford
- Date: Saturday, 4 April
Manchester United
- 01 de Gea
- 25 A Valencia
- 04 Jones
- 05 Rojo
- 17 Blind
- 16 Carrick
- 08 Mata
- 21 Herrera
- 31 Fellaini
- 18 Young
- 10 Rooney
Substitutes
- 02 Rafael
- 07 Di María
- 09 Falcao
- 11 Januzaj
- 32 Valdés
- 33 McNair
- 44 Pereira
Aston Villa
- 01 Guzan
- 21 Hutton
- 05 Okore
- 06 Clark
- 34 Lowton
- 16 Delph
- 24 Sánchez
- 28 N'Zogbia
- 10 Weimann
- 11 Agbonlahor
- 20 Benteke
Substitutes
- 02 Baker
- 04 Vlaar
- 07 Bacuna
- 12 Cole
- 25 Gil
- 31 Given
- 40 Grealish
Ref: Roger East
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has again been ruled out with a lingering ankle injury.
Luke Shaw has recovered from a hamstring problem but Chris Smalling is a big doubt because of illness.
Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar is fit after six weeks out with a calf problem, while Jores Okore and Joe Cole have also overcome injuries.
The game could come too soon for Aly Cissokho and Nathan Baker, while United loanee Tom Cleverley is ineligible.
Kieran Richardson and Philippe Senderos are back in training but may not be risked.
MATCH PREVIEW
Two games ago, when Manchester United began a daunting-looking run of matches, this match almost crept under the radar.
Having dispatched Spurs and produced their best 45 minutes under Louis van Gaal in winning at Liverpool, they next face a derby against Manchester City followed by a trip to Stamford Bridge. However, it's Aston Villa's visit that could be the most dangerous on the list.
Lawro's prediction
"After winning at Anfield and playing extremely well in the process, Manchester United will look at this game and think 'right, it is time to kick on'." Predictions: Lawro v Phil 'The Power' Taylor
It's the one everyone expects a rejuvenated United to win to maintain their top-four charge. Especially after their last two performances, which have put them in the driving seat to avoid a second successive season without Champions League football.
But they will still only look impressive results if they beat Aston Villa. It's not the time of the season to scrutinise performances, it's all about results and United have been steadily getting them. They have the momentum - 22 points from the last 27. February's loss at Swansea, that I witnessed, is the only defeat in that run.
They have a more solid defensive foundation, they've scored in their last nine games and, having used 32 players this season, appear to have a more settled look.
Nonetheless, they only have to rewind to December for a timely reminder of what can happen. They met Villa on the back of a morale-boosting win over Liverpool, only to draw 1-1 and subsequently drop seven points from the following four matches.
They'll face a Villa team with a different mentality to that time as well. Tim Sherwood has injected much-needed belief into the squad as they've climbed out of the bottom three.
I watched them fail to win a third game in a row last time out, as they conceded late in defeat to Swansea. They didn't quite hit their recent standards in that game but the Villa manager will be believing his players can get something at Old Trafford.
History shows there can be unpredictable results after international breaks. Van Gaal will be hoping this isn't one of them.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Manchester United have beaten Aston Villa 31 times in the Premier League, the joint-most of any team against any one opponent, along with United versus Everton.
- Aston Villa's only win in 38 league games against Manchester United came courtesy of Gabby Agbonlahor's headed goal at Old Trafford in December 2009.
- The Red Devils are subsequently unbeaten in 11 meetings in all competitions (W8, D3).
Manchester United
- United have won a league-high 37 points at home (W12, D1, L2).
- No club has scored more first-half goals at home than the 21 by Louis van Gaal's side.
- They have kept 10 clean sheets this season, with three of them coming in their last four league games.
- Their sole defeat in 15 games against clubs currently in the bottom half of their table was the 5-3 loss at Leicester in September.
- Wayne Rooney has scored 12 Premier League goals against Aston Villa, his joint-highest tally against any opponent along with Newcastle.
- He has scored eight goals in his last six league games against Villa at Old Trafford.
Aston Villa
- Six of Aston Villa's seven league wins have been by the odd goal, the exception being the 4-0 win at Sunderland in their last away game.
- That 4-0 win ended a run of six away matches without a point or goal.
- Villa have failed to score in 17 of their 30 league games.
- They have lost only three of six matches away to clubs currently in the top 10 of the league table (W2, D1).
- Villa have scored only four second-half goals, six fewer than any other side. They have managed a mere two goals in the final 30 minutes of league action this season.
Social Networking Bookmarks