Manchester United v Aston Villa: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s fixture at Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney and Gabriel Agbonlahor (Getty Images)

Aston Villa's fight for survival continues on Saturday when they face the daunting task of going to Old Trafford to take on an in-form Manchester United side. Tim Sherwood’s team currently sits 16th in the Premier League hovering just three points above the relegation zone.

Two vital wins against West Brom and Sunderland lifted Villa out of the bottom three but then a defeat at home against Swansea in their last game kept the pressure on. Luckily for them the teams below them also have tough games this weekend.

United, on the other hand, are breathing down the necks of Arsenal and Manchester City and could end the day in second place if other results go their way. They are coming off the back of four straight wins with two impressive victories over Liverpool and Tottenham coming in their last two games.

Radamel Falcao will be in contention as he scored three goals while on international duty. Aston Villa are also hoping to welcome Ron Vlaar back into their squad for the game after being out since February.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

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

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 3 (Welbeck 2, Cleverley), Premier League, December 2013

STATS:

Aston Villa haven’t beaten Manchester United in the Premier League in their last nine attempts.

Aston Villa have only scored eight goals on their travels this season while Manchester United have scored 33 times at home.

Manchester United have scored 11 goals in the last three games between these two sides while Villa have only managed to score one.

Wayne Rooney has scored 14 goals against Aston Villa, the same as his total against Arsenal, which is more than any other team in the League.

Van Persie has been ruled out of the match through injury

ODDS:

Manchester United to win: 1.3

Aston Villa to win: 10

Draw: 5

CLASSIC MATCH:

Manchester United 3-0 Aston Villa - 2013

When Manchester United hosted Aston Villa on April 22, 2013, they had the chance to secure their 20th Premier League title, and thanks to the brilliance of Robin van Persie, they did just that.

Van Persie scored a first-half hat-trick against Villa with his second goal worthy of winning any title and was a fitting send-off for Sir Alex Ferguson. The goal, which came in the 13th minute, was created out a long, searching ball played forward by Wayne Rooney, which Van Persie ran onto and met with a stunning left-footed volley from the edge of the area.

Villa couldn’t cope with Van Persie and United on that day and just couldn’t wait for the hammering to be over.

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC, 10.30pm