Apr 4, 2009

6:08 AM
Man United v Aston Villa
3.30pm, Sunday

If United score early, they'll get back on track

They've lost two games in a row, but I think that's just a blip. However, this will be a difficult game for them on Sunday because Liverpool could be top of the table by the time they kick-off.

That could have a phenomenal psychological impact. Three weeks ago at about 1.10pm, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty against Liverpool and we all thought the title race was over. But by Saturday night, Liverpool could be top of the league.


Ronaldo: key to United hopes

You don't become a bad team overnight - and that's what Sir Alex Ferguson will be telling his players.

Villa have completely and utterly gone and I think they will regret not buying more players in January. They had an unbelievable opportunity to finish fourth - but they only signed Emile Heskey and the wheels have fallen off.

Old Trafford will be rocking at first, but if it's 0-0 after 20 minutes the fans and players will start getting a bit nervy - even though they've won this league umpteen times.

Regret

It's been a disappointing season for them. They all came back early to play in the Intertoto Cup, then mugged that off in February, and then they didn't bother signing enough players in January.

They played 4-5-1 for much of the season and had an amazing away record, but then they signed Heskey, switched to 4-4-2 and now they can't win a game for toffee. They were the best counter-attacking team in the league and now they are too open. They need to get back to being hard to beat and breaking with pace.

Unfortunately they need confidence to play that way and when you're getting beat every week it's hard to find.

Attack

Not many teams have a go at Man United - that's why they've kept so many clean sheets this season - and they got found out when Liverpool went to Old Trafford and attacked.

It's touch and go for Villa. After an unbelievably bad run do they go there and defend, or do they try to have a go at Man United while they're still a little bit vulnerable?

Villa tried to have a go at Liverpool and ended up losing 5-0, but that Liverpool team were flying - Man United are a little bit shell-shocked at the moment.

Personally I think if Villa sit back and defend there can only be one winner because there's no way United will go through 90 minutes without creating a clear-cut chance. And Villa have got nothing to lose now.

Man United do give you a chance if you have the bottle to go and attack them. The problem is Villa look drained and may not have the confidence to do that.

If Man United score early, Villa fans are in for a long, long Sunday afternoon.


My Prediction
Home win - It wouldn't surprise me if Villa nicked the points, but I think they are too tired and jaded to do that. United are like a wounded bear and I can see them winning 3-0.

Player to watch
Cristiano Ronaldo - Rooney is suspended and Tevez is coming back after getting slaughtered 6-1 with Argentina, so Ronaldo needs to step up to the plate and be the man in this one.

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