Manchester United Take On Aston Villa in Tricky Game

Manchester United have a chance to keep up the pressure on Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League title race. United are currently 2 points adrift of the Londoners, with 15 games played and the halfway point of the season fast approaching. Manchester United are in the midst of a defensive injury crisis, but Nemanja Vidic has recovered from a bout of flu and will be fit to play.

They welcome to Old Trafford Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa side that are currently fifth in the table. Many will remember the corresponding fixture from last season as a turning point in United's reclaiming the title. 2-1 down with 15 minutes left to play, United looked doomed for a 3rd successive defeat. But Cristiano Ronaldo's equalizer and then 17 year old Italian Federico Macheda's late winner saw them maintain their unbeaten record against a good Villa side.

Aston Villa have already beaten the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea this season, and Sir Alex Ferguson must be more than a little wary of the threat they pose. The history books show that Villa last beat United in a league fixture back in 1995, and they have not got a victory at Old Trafford for 26 years now. Based on that, the result of this game is a no brainer, but the extent of United's injuries and the fact that this season is one of the most competitive in recent history shows that nothing is for certain.

United will again field Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick as part of a makeshift back four, and Michael Owen could make a start after netting a hat-trick in midweek Champions League action against German champions Wolfsburg. Chelsea take on Everton at Stamford Bridge before United kickoff, so it is imperative that they get a win to continue their impressive recent form.

Chelsea are facing their own troubles with Michael Essien out injured, and on a winless streak of 3 games in all competitions. Their last league game was against Manchester City, and they looked far from the irresistible force that they are made out to be. But playing against a severely weakened Everton side at home could be just the tonic they need. Look out for young Evertonian Jack Rodwell, a presumable Chelsea and Man United target, who could be looking to enhance his reputation as the best 18 year old English midfielder around.

In another great game on Sunday, luckless and limp Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield, with both teams in desperate need of a win to get their seasons back on track.