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Aston Villa vs Manchester United preview: Villa have collected just nine points from a possible 93 in this fixture

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Villa Park

Alexander Biddle
Thursday 13 August 2015 15:46 BST
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(GETTY IMAGES)

It’s a big game for…

MEMPHIS DEPAY: Having failed to take hold of the game against Tottenham Hotspur, United new boy Memphis Depay must now step up to the plate against Aston Villa to help justify his £25m transfer from PSV Eindhoven. The latest luminary to don the famous No.7 shirt, Depay follows in the footsteps of George Best, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo. No pressure…

Best stat…

9: Since the turn of the century, Aston Villa has picked up a measly 9 points from a possible 93 against Manchester United. The two sides have met 31 times in the league from May 2000.

Remember when…

Former Manchester United frontman Robin van Persie scored this unstoppable volley against Aston Villa in 2013 to secure the Old Trafford side’s 20th league title. The Dutchman latched onto Wayne Rooney’s searching ball to smash the unstoppable volley past Villa shot-stopper Brad Guzan.

Player to watch…

SERGIO ROMERO: The Argentine shot-stopper’s lackadaisical distribution early on against Tottenham had United fan’s thinking ‘not another one’, but the Red Devils' new face between the sticks grew in stature as the game wore on. A string of fine saves eclipsed by an exceptional, last ditch save from Christian Eriksen left a positive impression amid a goalkeeping saga that could see No.1 David de Gea switch to Real Madrid.

Past three-meetings…

Manchester United 3 (Herrera 2, Rooney) Aston Villa 1 (Benteke), Premier League, April 2015

Aston Villa 1 (Benteke) Manchester United 1 (Falcao), Premier League, December 2014

Manchester United 4 (Rooney 2, Mata, Hernandez) Aston Villa 1 (Westwood), Premier League, March 2014

Premier League form guide…

ASTON VILLA: W

MANCHESTER UNITED: W

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 7.45pm

TV: Live on Sky Sports, highlights on BBC1

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