Preview: Manchester United vs Aston Villa
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have been struggling recently, finding themselves behind in recent fixtures and then having to come from behind to secure a win. Manchester United found themselves trailing in both their last fixtures against Blackpool in the Premier
League and Southampton in the FA Cup, however, they recovered and registered wins in both the matches. Manchester United are currently top of the English Premier League table with 51 points, they are five points clear of second place Arsenal. However, Ferguson
is aware a slip up at this stage in the title race will just give the competition a chance to catch up, while United are also trying to maintain their unbeaten record in the league.
Aston Villa on the other hand, have been showing signs of improvement, recently beating Manchester City and Wigan Athletic to reach 13th place, safe from the relegation zone. They have had three wins in a row, including the victory over Blackburn http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rovers-c40385
in the FA Cup. If there was ever a time Aston Villa were ready for a side like Manchester United, it is now. Despite struggling against lowly sides like Wigan and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wolves-c40952 this season, Villa finally seem to have found their form, and the new signings by manager
Gerard Houllier are helping. If history repeats itself then Villa can expect to have three consecutive away wins, since they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford last season thanks to a goal by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gabriel-Agbonlahor-c14288.
Team News
Manchester United
Ferguson confirmed he would be resorting to his regular defence after changing it for the FA Cup fixture against Southampton. Despite the big change, Manchester United managed to secure a 2-1 win, and guaranteed a spot in the next round of the cup competition.
Rafael has been declared fit after having recovered from the concussion he suffered at Blackpool, while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rio-Ferdinand-c31173 are
also expected to start at Old Trafford against Villa.
Javier Hernandez put in a spirited performance against Southampton, which means the Mexican international could be on his way to securing a spot in the first team. However, for now http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitar-Berbatov-c11254 are expected to start up-front.
Aston Villa
Former Sunderland striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerard-c14664 Houllier will be expecting
great things from him, especially against big sides like United.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/James-Collins-c17687 should also be fit to be named in the squad, which would definitely strengthen Houllier’s back line. New arrival Jean Makoun could partner Petrov in midfield, but there is no confirmation of whether or not the midfielder will
start.
Possible Starting XI
Manchester United
Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney.
Aston Villa
Friedel; Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Clark; Albrighton, Petrov, Makoun, Downing; Bent, Agbonlahor.
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