Premier League: Aston Villa v Manchester United match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's fixture at Villa Park

Morgan Hammond
Friday 13 December 2013 09:48 EST
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Wayne Rooney is one short of his 150th Premier League goal for Manchester United
Wayne Rooney is one short of his 150th Premier League goal for Manchester United (GETTY IMAGES)

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Aston Villa will be hoping to inflict a third successive Premier League defeat on Manchester United, for the first time since 2001, when these two sides come together on Sunday.

Villa’s form of late has been inconsistent, after they followed up a 3-2 away win at Southampton with a 2-0 defeat to Premier League strugglers Fulham last weekend. Villa have only won seven points at home this season, something that manager Paul Lambert will be hoping to rectify sooner rather than later.

David Moyes, will be looking to build upon their midweek win in the Champions League against Shakhtar when they take on Villa. A win at Villa Park will hopefully install some confidence back into the United side after Phil Jones admitted that confidence is running low at Old Trafford. Fortunately for United, Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground in recent times, with United beating the Villains in their previous two visits.

One more goal will see Wayne Rooney take his goal tally for United to 150, only Thierry Henry has scored more goals for one Premier League club. Fabian Delph is suspended for Villa after picking up a fifth yellow card this season in their defeat to Fulham last week.

KICK-OFF: Sunday 1.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS

Man United 3 (Robin van Persie 3) Aston Villa 0, Premier League, April 2013

Aston Villa 2 (Weimann 2) Man United 3 (Hernandez 2, Vlaar OG), Premier League, November 2012

Man United 4 (Rooney 2, Welbeck, Nani) Aston Villa 0, Premier League, April 2012

STATS…

Aston Villa

Paul Lambert's side have won only seven points at Villa Park (only Sunderland with six have won fewer).

They have won only twice at home and scored a Premier League low six goals.

The defeat at Craven Cottage ended a five-game unbeaten run for Villa

Benteke is Villa’s top scorer this season on four goals.

Manchester United

Last weekend Man United lost back to back Premier League home games for the first time in over a decade.

United are down in ninth place in the table, 13 points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Rooney is United’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with eight goals.

ODDS…

Aston Villa to Win: 5.0

Draw: 3.6

Man U to win: 1.7

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 13.30, highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm on MOTD

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