Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Manchester United will be hoping to get their first win at Villa Park since 2007 when they face Alex McLeish’s Aston Villa, in what on paper should be an entertaining match.
Villa have so far been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season and it appears that the hostile Villa fans have taken McLeish to their hearts after the Scot’s controversial switch across the Midlands from fierce rivals Birmingham City.
Currently sitting 8th in the table, Villa have only won one of their last six games with that win coming at home to Norwich City. Last time out they shared a goalless sombre draw against Swansea City played immediately in the aftermath of former Premier League midfielder and Wales manager Gary Speed, which was always going to be a tough game to play given the circumstances.
United have had a great deal of success at Villa Park since the Premier League started and have not lost there in a league match since 1995, in the first match of the club’s historic double winning season of 1995/96 when Brian Little’s Villa romped to a 3-1 win. That was the match which afterwards Alan Hansen famously chirped “you can’t win anything with kids” on Match of the Day.
So basing that little stat in mind, Villa are due a win over United at home and considering the fact United haven’t won there since a 4-1 win in 2007 when Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez dazzled up front, something as they say ‘has got to give.’ Villa’s goalscorer that day Gabriel Agbonlahor has started this season in fine form and but for injury would have featured for England in their friendlies last month.
Even before United’s second-string side exited the Carling Cup at home to Crystal Palace, it’s a given that Sir Alex Ferguson will be demanding three points from his team this weekend as given Manchester City’s form United can ill-afford any slip-ups. Nor will he want to suffer defeat to one of his ex-players in McLeish, after all teachers don’t like to lose to their pupils do they?
So what can we expect from tomorrow’s game. What will be the key battles on the pitch?
Rio Ferdinand v Gabriel Agbonlahor
Last weekend Rio Ferdinand suffered the disappointment of ‘giving away’ the foul against Newcastle that led to Demba Ba equalising from the spot at Old Trafford. The former England captain certainly could do with a break this weekend.
Agbonlahor has scored three goals against United in the past and is in the form of his life at the moment. A good performance from Ferdinand this weekend will do his England chances no harm, but he’ll have to play well to keep the striker quiet.
Darren Fletcher v Barry Bannan
One of the more intriguing battles of the match will be the battle of the Scots in midfield between current Scotland captain Darren Fletcher and Barry Bannan who has been touted as a future captain of Scotland.
Fletcher has never been the quickest in midfield but what he makes up for in pace he gives in determination. Bannan is a silky midfielder who the United man will know all about from International duty and should have the nous to deal with.
Wayne Rooney v Richard Dunne
There are few better centre-halves in the country than Richard Dunne who is still probably good to play for Manchester City in the heart of their defence. The Irishman has been a great signing for Villa and gives his all every weekend.
Rooney has enjoyed a mixture of success against Dunne down the years, who is strong enough to deal with United’s star striker pace and physicality. This could well be the key battle that decides tomorrow’s match, it’s that important.
—
In terms of a prediction for the game, as I stated earlier on in a on in a predictions article, I believe that United will edge a hard-fought encounter 2-1. It won’t be an easy game and Villa do have the resources to scrap hard and get a point.
I have got a sneaky feeling that Rooney will bag the winner and that Ashley Young will bag an assist tomorrow. Due to the pace both teams have down their flanks, it would not surprise me if there is a player sent off tomorrow.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
