MX23RW : Friday, March 29 07:40:43| >> :60:3315:3315:

Preview: Aston Villa vs. Manchester United

Sports Mole previews Manchester United's trip to the West Midlands to face Aston Villa.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal could name an unchanged starting lineup when he takes his team to play Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Danny Blind and Luke Shaw are unlikely to feature until the Christmas fixtures while midfielder Angel di Maria is unlikely to be considered for a return to the starting XI.

Six victories in a row, including last week's 3-0 triumph over Liverpool, have taken United up to third position, five points behind Manchester City and eight adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Despite their positive results, Van Gaal will remain concerned by his side's performances but with room for improvement, there is every reason for supporters to be optimistic at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has revealed that he is "down to the bare bones" as he attempts to contend with five games in the space of two weeks.

Lambert must do without the suspended Kieran Richardson, Alan Hutton and Tom Cleverley at the weekend, while Joe Cole, Nathan Baker and Philippe Senderos won't be fit enough to feature in the 18-man squad.

However, the club was boosted by the substitute appearance of Fabian Delph during the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion last Saturday and he seems a certainty to be drafted into midfield.

The setback at The Hawthorns was Villa's first in six matches which has left them five points ahead of the relegation zone.

Aston Villa:

Recent form: DDDWWL

Possible starting lineup: Guzan, Lowton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho, Sanchez, Delph, N'Zogbia, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke

Manchester United:

Recent form: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Evans, Young; Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney; van Persie, Wilson

Sports Mole says: 1-3


ID:194467: cacheID:194467:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5341:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aston Villa's Christian Benteke scores his team's fourth goal via the penalty spot against West Brom during their Premier League match on January 29, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: West Brom vs. Villa
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!