After a tricky away victory over Braga that put Manchester United through to the knockout stages (Qualified top of the group with two games to go, get in!!) attentions have turned back to the Premiership and its looking good on that front as well. Back to back victories against Chelsea and Arsenal have seen them climb to the top spot and will go to Villa Park with every intention of keeping it that way. Of course the old adage is that when your on top you are there to be shot at but I don’t see many problems coming from this fixture, the last time Villa managed to take all three points from United at Villa park was a while ago, a three nil win in ‘99-’00 season, and only one win in thirty one meetings (a on nil away win three years ago) means its not looking good for the Villa. With their attacking options United are spoilt for choice, It will probably be Van Persie and Welbeck leading the line with Rooney dropping back into the deeper role we have seen him play this year. I’d like to see Hernandez given a chance in the league over Welbeck but it seems SAF wants to persevere with Welbeck and coax some goals out of him. United have Kagawa, Jones and Vidic all out with knee injuries, Nani is out with “a tight hamstring” and Jonny Evans is a minor doubt with groin trouble though he could play a part on Saturday. After Smalling made his return in the champions league at least there are some options for the Red Devils at the back.
Villa will have summer signing Karim el Ahmadi back after he completed his one match ban for picking up five yellow cards but its one in one out as Eric Lichaj is suspended for the same thing. Joe Bennett and Darren Bent will both miss the game through injury meaning United will be facing Christian Benteke and Agbonlahor as Villa’s attacking threat. Pace, power, personified. Both players bring different options and the United defence will have to stay switched on to keep them at bay but with only two clubs (Sunderland and QPR) scoring fewer goals than Villa so far this season you’ve got to say its not looking good.
Its still early but with a busy Christmas looming just over the horizon now is the time to pick up points while your fresh because once you get to the new year things get a little more serious, you don’t want to be lingering around the foot of the table then. Villa may well find themselves in a fight this season but unbeaten in three and coming off the back of an important win last week against Sunderland they will be full of belief. If United go out and grab control of the game though I think they will create enough chances to notch up a hefty score but if they get forced into playing a slow game Villa have a chance because as we’ve seen so far the United defence isn’t quite as tight as it once was. There are some big games this weekend, Man City vs. Spurs, Chelsea vs. Liverpool, increasing the chance of rivals slipping up so I want to see United come out of the blocks and send a message on Saturday, if they do that then it will be a good game to watch.
No comments:
Post a Comment