vegyjones
5th January 2008, 01:46
Aston Villa V Manchester United
A tough looking match for Manchester United on paper, however, Villa’s best form of late has been on their travels and United have won on their last 8 visits to Villa Park. And from a statistical point of view, it just gets worse for Martin O’Neil’s men. There have been three FA Cup meetings between the two sides in the last 10 years, they have all come in the January, or the 3rd round, and Manchester United have won all 3. Four of Uniteds last 5 wins at Villa Park have all been by a margin bigger than 1 goal. And finally, to compound the misery, Villa’s last good result, from any competitive fixture at any ground against Ferguson’s men was way back in October 2002, 13 matches ago, in which they picked up a 1-1 draw.
So it doesn’t look good from a statistical point of view, although Villa are hoping that they are entering a new era under Martin O’Neil and that he will be able to shrug off the shackles of this bad run of form against Manchester United.
However, they have their work cut out. Last week’s defeat at West Ham United was their only defeat in seven and they lost that after being on the verge of taking a two goal lead from the penalty spot. On the team news front, Tevez may be doubtful, but Wayne Rooney is almost certain to return to the team after his injury!
Villa struggled past Spurs on Tuesday evening, and surely they will find this United side a much stiffer proposition. It’s difficult to see how Villa will stop the Reds front line from breaching their rear guard.
BETTING ADVICE
4 points Manchester United to win 1-0 @ 6-1
3 points Manchester United to win 2-0 @ 8-1
A tough looking match for Manchester United on paper, however, Villa’s best form of late has been on their travels and United have won on their last 8 visits to Villa Park. And from a statistical point of view, it just gets worse for Martin O’Neil’s men. There have been three FA Cup meetings between the two sides in the last 10 years, they have all come in the January, or the 3rd round, and Manchester United have won all 3. Four of Uniteds last 5 wins at Villa Park have all been by a margin bigger than 1 goal. And finally, to compound the misery, Villa’s last good result, from any competitive fixture at any ground against Ferguson’s men was way back in October 2002, 13 matches ago, in which they picked up a 1-1 draw.
So it doesn’t look good from a statistical point of view, although Villa are hoping that they are entering a new era under Martin O’Neil and that he will be able to shrug off the shackles of this bad run of form against Manchester United.
However, they have their work cut out. Last week’s defeat at West Ham United was their only defeat in seven and they lost that after being on the verge of taking a two goal lead from the penalty spot. On the team news front, Tevez may be doubtful, but Wayne Rooney is almost certain to return to the team after his injury!
Villa struggled past Spurs on Tuesday evening, and surely they will find this United side a much stiffer proposition. It’s difficult to see how Villa will stop the Reds front line from breaching their rear guard.
BETTING ADVICE
4 points Manchester United to win 1-0 @ 6-1
3 points Manchester United to win 2-0 @ 8-1