English Premier League Match Preview: Manchester United vs. Aston Villa
Manchester United will host Aston Villa at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford, on 2 February. The Red Devils will be eyeing another win in this mid-week fixture to stretch their unbeaten run to a whopping 24 matches in this
season.
The last time these two sides met in the English Premier League was on 13 November, 2010 when the Villans hosted the Red Devils at Villa Park. Back then, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Houllier’s side almost defeated Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. Federico
Macheda and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Vidic-c27550 rose to the occasion in the dying minutes of the match, as they scored two goals to salvage a draw against the Lions.
United have not lost a league fixture since, but Houllier’s side have not fared well, having tasted defeat in six out of the following eight league games. The Villans have had a recent turnover of form, having acquired three consecutive
victories in all competitions, which is the best that Houllier has seen of his side since taking charge of the Villans in September.
Meanwhile, after their last two victories, United have been hailed as the ‘comeback kings’. In their Premier League meeting with Blackpool, the Red Devils conceded two goals in the first half, but went on to score three goals,
coming from behind, during the last 20 minutes of the second half. Four days later, during a FA Cup match on 29 January, Sir Alex’s men conceded a goal in the first half to Southampton, but went on to claim victory by striking twice in the second half.
The Red Devils are on top of the points table, with 51 points from 23 matches, whereas the Villans occupy the 13th spot, having gained 28 points from 24 games. Sir Alex’s men have won 14 matches, whereas Houllier’s side
have gained half as many victories. Manchester United have drawn nine of their fixtures, whereas Villa have drawn seven and lost ten of their Premier League matches. United have scored as many goals as the number of points that they have gained, and conceded
21 goals. Aston Villa have scored 27 goals in this season and have allowed 40 goals to shatter their defensive walls. While both teams have been shown one red card thus far, Villa have accumulated 51 yellows as compared to United’s score of 36.
The Villans have managed only one victory against United in their 28 meetings, which was a 0-1 win during the previous season at Old Trafford. That win was the first victory for Houllier’s side in all competitions against the Red
Devils.
United have tasted victory 11 out of 12 times in league matches at home. Villa will be wary of striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254, who has scored 19 times in the league for the Red Devils.
As Manchester United have been dubbed as the ‘comeback kings’, Aston Villa have shown a contrasting form. The number of points they have managed to drop while having the upper hand during league matches in this season (before the
final whistle was blown) is 14.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Carrick-c25282 is also said to be suffering from an
ankle injury and is doubtful to play for United on Wednesday.
Aston Villa will be unable to play http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nathan-Baker-c27374, as the player is facing a three-match suspension. Jean Makoun is suffering from a thigh injury and will miss this fixture.
Both sides will try to secure a victory, but with United having rested their match-winners last weekend, they should be able to pull off a win comfortably. Vidic and Rio Ferdinand’s return to the defence will also be an added bonus.
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