In fact, this is Villa's worst start to a season since 2005-06 when they had 12 points after 13 matches and finished 16th. Their record against United in recent years does not make good reading either as Villa have only won one of their last 31 Premier League games against them (W1 D9 L21).

Home comforts have played little role in this run as United have won 11 times at Villa Park - only at Everton (14 wins) have they come away with three points more often from an opponent's ground. Hope, however, comes from the fact that Villa have held firm of late. The last three games in Birmingham have finished as a draw with last season's 2-2 thriller notable in that all four goals were scored in the last 20 minutes.

Alex McLeish's style of football has gained few supporters, but the side are boosted by the return of Barry Bannan and Jermaine Jenas from injury and suspension. Having been forced to play Fabian Delph and Chris Herd in midfield in the 0-0 draw with Swansea, McLeish will be hopeful that the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent can continue their good form and help the Villans to a much-needed win.United, though, are the definition of solid in the league at the moment. One dodgy penalty against Newcastle aside, they have not conceded since the 6-1 hammering by Man City and have gone on a run that has seen them win 1-0 in three of their last four matches.

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have been reunited in defence, while Chris Smalling is also back from injury although may need resting after playing 120 minutes against Crystal Palace. With signs that they are getting back on track after their City blip, United are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League away games (W4 D3) and will be conscious of keeping up the pressure on their title rivals.

Top scorers Wayne Rooney (9) and Javier Hernandez (6) will lead the line again, but Sir Alex Ferguson will want his side to show more of a cutting edge as they have only netted six goals in their last six Premier League games.

Aston Villa player to watch: Barry Bannan. Having made headlines recently for off-field incidents - he was involved in a car crash and given an 18-month driving ban after being found guilty of drink driving - the Scotland midfielder will be keen to focus attention back onto the pitch. McLeish was impressed by Bannan's ability to ''play passes, penetrating ones into the strikers'' when he came on against Swansea and maintained that ''we want to build on that kind of delivery to the strikers." His will be a key creative role.

Man Utd player to watch: Nemanja Vidic. The tough Serbian defender scored in both matches against Aston Villa last season to prove that he is a key player at both ends of the pitch. Vidic was notable by his absence against City but has returned to help marshal United's backline and they look a completely different prospect with him at the centre. One of the best defenders in the world, let alone the Premier League, Vidic will look to continue United's fine defensive run and keep striker Darren Bent at bay.

Key Battle: Charles N'Zogbia v Patrice Evra While team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor has found himself in the spotlight for some impressive performances, N'Zogbia has been criticised for not hitting the ground running since his summer move to Villa Park. The Frenchman has struggled to live up to expectations this year, but is starting to get his confidence back. His delivery from wide areas will be a source of danger for United, but they have one of the best left-backs around marshalling him. Given a rest in midweek, Evra will be fighting fit and, while his primary job will be to stop crosses coming in, he will also look to take advantage of any loss of concentration from his opponent to go on the attack.

Trivia: Manchester United have only ever had more points at this stage in three of the 19 Premier League campaigns - 2003-04 (34), 1993-94 (31) and 2006-07 (34).

Stats: Man Utd have conceded 77% of the goals they have shipped in the second half, the highest proportion in the top division. Villa have lost 21 of the last 31 Premier League games against United.


Match

min silence for Gary Speed

Game on

Let's go there

ashley young is being boooooooooooooooooed

What do you expect from ungrateful villa fans

hernandez injured? hmm

r231:

What do you expect from ungrateful villa fans

he is the ungrateful one

wow i feel bad for chicarito oh he is going off . .valencia to replace him

Thank God, chicharito is injured, i pray he shud be out till d end of d season.

All dis biscuit bone boys ehhh

Wahala dey o

oMG Chicharito!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dennis ana:

Thank God, chicharito is injured, i pray he shud be out till d end of d season.

what kind of useless prayer is this?

nani sef na wa o

Goal

lol see fergie dey give thumbs up

nice goal phil jones

JonesssSsss

any link?

valencia what a strrike

mehn this arab commentator go kill me oh

who has been using Jazz here

so many injuriies mehn

when is half-time

lol  the 8 added mins was for the break for the injuries i guess

that was way more than 8mins

villa should just score abeg . .

i swear Nani is possessed

and i have the mumu for my FPl oh , time to sell him rubbish

Haters

Nani ahhhh

hehehe rooney can dive oh

na wa o

see injury . .former spuddie cashley cole's lover Jenas

Omo what's going on at villa park today,

emil Heskey is on faya!!!!

Oh Villla!!!! what a ball

I have seen some bad performances in my life. . . but that has got to be the worst by any team in a long time.

Jeezus Christ. . .