Aston Villa v Manchester United: McLeish looks to teach the master Fergie a lesson
Manchester United haven't lost a league game on their travels this season and haven't lost at Villa Park in a Premier League game for 16 years so it looks as though this will be the perfect way to erase their Carling Cup humiliation at the hands of Crystal Palace in midweek. But can Alex McLeish, Fergie's former pupil from his days at Aberdeen, spring a huge shock and stun the champions?
Aston Villa left an emotional Liberty Stadium last week with a point following the tragic news surrounding Wales boss Gary Speed. It was a fair point as both teams were obviously distracted by the breaking news. Tonight though, at home in front of a packed Villa Park, McLeish will be hoping to get back to winning ways.
The Villains start the day in the top half of the table but they haven't scored in their last two outings agaisnt Spurs and Swansea. With United going back to basics defensively following that 6-1 drubbing by City, can Agbonlahor, Bent and co really breach the champions' backline?
Manchester United love Villa Park. It has been the home of some many triumphs that it could easily be the Red Devils' second home. Their last league defeat here came on the opening day of the 1995/96 season. Fergie took to the field with a team of Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and David Beckham. That 3-1 defeat led Match of the Day analyst Alan Hansen to preach "You won't win anything with kids." United went on to win the league and cup double!
Aston Villa have only lost at home once this season. That was against West Brom, but they were effectively robbed in that game as they had a player sent off for nothing. Will United keep up their four-game unbeaten run in the league or will McLeish teach Sir Alex a lesson? Our pundits can only see this going one way.
Aston Villa v Manchester United; Kick Off 5.30pm December 3 2011
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
0 |
V |
2 |
Panel Verdict
Manchester United are tipped to take maximum points from their second home.
Home: 0; Draw: 9; Away: 27.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
