Manchester United Vs Aston Villa 3 - 1 - (Live)!

Manchester United Vs Astonvilla





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Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood says he is focused only on his side’s trip to Old Trafford in what

he has called a “massive week” for

the club.



Sherwood had overseen a run of

three consecutive wins in all

competitions before a defeat by

Swansea City last time out that

left the team three points above

the relegation zone and the recently appointed Villa manager is primed for a pivotal week, when his club hosts second-bottom QPR on Tuesday.



"It is a massive week," he told a

pre-match news conference. "We

hope we can get a few bodies back

on the pitch to give us a bit more

impetus.



"Man United is the only game I'm

focusing on. We need to get something out of that game. It's a wonderful place to go and play.



There are a few in our dressing

room who have gone there and won and the boys are confident we can

do it again.



" Sherwood could welcome back

captain Ron Vlaar from a calf

problem at Old Trafford, while

fellow defender Jores Okore is set

to return following a knee injury -

both welcome boosts in the battle against the drop.



"It was obviously going to be a

difficult task," Sherwood said.



"Nobody said it was going to be

easy. There will be lots of ups and

downs along the way but I'm

confident we can do it.



"It's a great club, I feel very

pleased to have got the opportunity to manage this great club. It is a dream job for me if we stay in the league, it gives me a pre-season to build my own squad. I couldn't have hand picked a

better job, but we need to get over

the line.



" For Manchester United a win

would boost their hopes of

finishing in the top four, which

goalkeeper David de Gea insists is

paramount.



United missed out on a

place in any European competition last season but a 2-1 victory over

Liverpool last time out boosted

their hopes of a top-four finish.



Chris Smalling is expected to be

passed fit for United despite being

substituted playing for England

during midweek.



Louis van Gaal will assess Robin van Persie (ankle) and Luke Shaw (hamstring), while Jonny Evans

remains suspended.

Match Facts



Manchester United have 31

Barclays Premier League wins

against Aston Villa, the joint-

highest of a team against an

opponent in the competition (along

with Man Utd v Everton).



Wayne Rooney has 12 goals against

Aston Villa, his joint-highest tally

against an opponent in the BPL

along with Newcastle United. He

has eight goals in his last six at

Old Trafford against Villa, netting four braces.



Villa are the only side in the top

flight for whom a substitute has

yet to score or assist a goal this

season.



Rooney has 95 goals at Old Trafford. Only Alan Shearer, with

97 at St James' Park (incuding

two for Blackburn Rovers), and

Thierry Henry, with 114 at

Highbury, have scored more goals

at one stadium in the BPL.