With top 7 sides already well clear of the rest of the pack, Aston Villa lead the remaining Premiership sides, despite recording just three wins in thirteen games.

The Villans recorded no less than seven draws so far, thus proving they are very hard to beat, but their inability to turn some of those draws into victories is likely to cost them a chance to fight for European places.

While nobody is surprised that Villa have yet to record a victory on the travels this season, their home record should be much better given that they have mostly faced bottom table sides at their Villa Park.

That would suggest that Alex McLeish’s side have little to hope for before the clash with defending champions, but considering that United have always had problems at Villa Park, maybe there is a value in odds of 2.25 (5/4) offered by Stan James on Aston Villa not to lose.

The hosts should have captain Stiliyan Petrov back after he missed the Swansea game through injury, but Eric Lichaj continues to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Given – Hutton, Collins, Dunne, Warnock – Agbonlahor, Petrov, Herd, N’Zogbia – Bent, Heskey.

It’s been a while since Manchester United last went on three games without winning, so there are no doubts that the pressure will be on the visitors in this clash.

Following the impressive start to the season, the Red Devils are slowly losing ground, with the Carling Cup defeat to Crystal Palace the perfect proof.

Sir Alex Ferguson did field a weakened line-up in that match, but that cannot be an excuse as players like Valencia, Park, Berbatov and Smalling were all starters.

The 2:1 defeat to Crystal Palace was the third successive home failure for the Red Devils, after they failed to beat Benfica and Newcastle at Old Trafford, so maybe it is not a bad thing that United play this match away from home.

All things considered, Fergie’s men should be able to bring all three points from Villa Park and they are 1.73 (8/11) with Bodog to do so.

Star players Rooney, Vidic, Chicharito and Young are expected to start after being rested in midweek, with Phil Jones likely to start at right-back.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): De Gea – Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra – Fletcher, Carrick – Nani, Rooney, Young – Hernandez.