Free £20 Bet on Aston Villa v Manchester United for Soccerlens readers – 7-1 for a 2-1 Manchester United win offers the best winnings.
Aston Villa v Manchester United
English Premier League
Villa Park
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Kickoff: 19:45 GMT
While Aston Villa are nothing outsiders in the race for 4th place, they have had a major impact in the title race already, beating Manchester United at Old Trafford where a win for the Red Devils would have seen them a point ahead of Chelsea with the Blues still to visit Old Trafford. Now, United must win at Villa Park and Martin O’Neill’s side can afford to take advantage of that and pick the champions off on the counter attack.
Aston Villa Preview
Villa’s defence, the meanest in the league, managed to keep Rooney and co at bay the last time these sides met, ending a 26-year hoodoo at Old Trafford when they came away with a 1-0 victory.
Their next challenge is to improve their home record against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. United’s last defeat at Villa Park came on the opening day of the 1995/96 season, which famously prompted Alan Hansen to declare “you win nothing with kids”.
Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey limped out of Saturday’s draw at Tottenham with a groin injury and is a doubt. John Carew could replace him, but Stephen Warnock remains sidelined with a shin injury.
Manchester United Preview
The immovable object that is Villa’s defence meets an irresistible force named Wayne Rooney.
The England striker is in the form of his life, with a spectacular 21 goals from 24 league appearances. His total haul stands at 23, already equalling his best tally of goals for a season.
Ryan Giggs recently bracketed his team-mate alongside current Fifa World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and former Red Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players on the planet. On current form, few would argue.
Ferguson:
Historically, we have always grasped the nettle at this time of the year… [the team] realise there is something at stake and we can’t afford inconsistency.
Manchester United should recall Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who were both rested at the weekend. New England captain Rio Ferdinand serves the penultimate game of his four-match suspension, while Nemanja Vidic has a slim chance of returning.
Aston Villa v Manchester United Predictions
Villa have only won one of their last six league games, and failed to score in any of the other five. It is four hours and 59 minutes since they scored a league goal at Villa Park – John Carew’s 61st-minute winner against Stoke on 19 December. On the other hand, Villa have kept four consecutive clean sheets, and eight in their last 10 Premier League matches.
One of these two records will have to give. Maybe both, given the attacking prowess of both sides.
Soccerlens Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United.
Free £20 Bet on Aston Villa v Manchester United for Soccerlens readers – 7-1 for a 2-1 Manchester United win offers the best winnings.
Watch Aston Villa v Manchester United Online
You can watch Aston Villa take on Manchester United live online as well as dozens of other Premier League and European football games. Read our live Premier League football page for more details.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
