Premier League preview: Aston Villa v Manchester United

Aston Villa will be hoping that they can frustrate Manchester United at Villa Park for the fourth season in a row on Saturday.

The Premier League encounter sees Sir Alex Ferguson’s side travel to a stadium where they have not won since October 2007.

In the last three encounters in Birmingham, the Villans have claimed draws with last season’s thrilling 2-2 result notable for the fact that all four goals were scored in the last 20 minutes.

Villa boss Alex McLeish is set to welcome midfield pair Jermaine Jenas and Barry Bannan back into his starting line-up for the match, with the duo both making substitute appearances at Swansea City on Sunday after injuries and suspension kept them sidelined respectively.

“It augurs well to have those two back and we now have food for thought for next week,” McLeish told the club’s official website.

“It was great to see Jermaine back in and great to see him out on the pitch in the second half.”

“Barry came on too and looked dangerous, playing just off the midfield. He was playing passes, penetrating ones into the strikers. We want to build on that kind of delivery to the strikers.”

The inexperienced duo of Fabian Delph and Chris Herd played in the middle at the goalless stalemate at Swansea, Villa’s seventh draw in just 13 matches this season – the most by any Premier League club.

What has frustrated Villa’s fans is the style of football employed by McLeish, who was always going to be under pressure after making the switch from their cross-town rivals Birmingham City in the off-season.

But what could help McLeish win the fans over is a home win against the defending Premier League champions.

Since their 6-1 humiliation at home to Manchester City, the Old Trafford outfit have responded well to their defensive problems which is largely thanks to the fact that Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have reunited at the back.

They have started scoring goals again and with Wayne Rooney (nine Premier League goals this season) and Javier Hernandez (six) finding form, it will not be easy for McLeish’s side.

However, despite the resurgence of Ferguson’s men, they do not look as intimidating as they once were and seem to lack the cutting edge that Manchester United sides of the past have had.

A failure to close out matches against Benfica and Newcastle saw them draw games they should have won and they are slightly vulnerable.

And McLeish will be hoping his side can take advantage of that as they look to start making a top-half spot on the table their own.