Gestede may be on Villa bench
Rudy Gestede may have to settle for a place on Aston Villa's bench against Manchester United on Friday despite his debut winner last week.
The striker, who joined from Blackburn in the summer, scored in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth after coming off the bench but boss Tim Sherwood does not want to rush him after an interrupted pre-season.
Jack Grealish (hamstring), Carles Gil (ankle) and Jores Okore (knee) are out while Idrissa Gueye, Jordan Amavi, Jordan Ayew, Jordan Veretout and Micah Richards are also set for their home debuts.
Tim Sherwood has praised Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner for sanctioning his summer spending spree.
The owner was looking to leave after officially putting the club on the market last year, but after failing to sell he gave Sherwood the green light to spend.
Barcelona's Adama Traore is close to becoming Villa's 10th signing of the summer ahead of Friday's Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United.
It is a change of direction from Lerner after he clamped down on spending under former boss Paul Lambert, and Sherwood is grateful.
"He doesn't have to talk. He is showing it by his actions that he is willing to back this football club and take us in the correct direction," he said.
"I think a football club is like a player, you're always for sale depending on what someone wants to pay. If someone wants to pay a huge amount of money and Randy decides he wants to sell then it's his decision.
"In the meantime he is not sitting on his hands, he is actively trying to do something to improve this club.
"It's good the club have backed me and it needed change. We have sold a lot of players and we brought in a lot of money. The owner has not put that back in to his pocket, he has reinvested it into the squad."
They beat Bournemouth 1-0 on the opening day, thanks to Gestede's debut goal, and Sherwood believes they can topple Louis van Gaal's side.
"It's a transition period for them again, as it was last season. They have brought in a lot of new players," he said.
"I think every team has their own problems early in the season. It's never fluid but we fancy ourselves against Manchester United. We fancy ourselves against any team."
Louis van Gaal has confirmed David de Gea is still not mentally fit enough to play for Manchester United.
De Gea sat out United's season-opening win against Tottenham last week. Van Gaal felt he was not able to focus because of speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
And Van Gaal has confirmed the goalkeeper will not feature in the club's second game of the campaign against Villa.
"No, it's the same situation," the United manager said when asked if De Gea would be in the squad for the Villa game.
United are refusing to sell De Gea unless they get Sergio Ramos in return or Madrid break the world-record fee for a goalkeeper (B#32.6million).
Senior sources at Old Trafford insist they are happy for the 24-year-old to run down his contract, and Van Gaal is okay with the idea that the Spaniard will not play for him until the transfer window shuts.
"I have said that already," Van Gaal said.
Sergio Romero deputised for De Gea in the 1-0 win over Spurs and the Argentina goalkeeper looks set to play at Villa Park.
"Normally, yes," was the Dutchman's terse reply when asked if Romero would keep his place.
Van Gaal has no new injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Midlands.
Marouane Fellaini is suspended, Phil Jones is out with thrombosis and Marcos Rojo is still lacking match fitness.
Van Gaal is looking to put pressure on United's rivals by winning at Villa Park.
The Dutchman feels an improvement in away form will be vital to the club's chances of challenging for the title.
"The key for success this season is improving away matches," said Van Gaal, who won just six times away last term.
"We were one of the best last season at home, third.
"I want to create a fortress at Old Trafford, we did that but away we have to improve and we can improve because last year we were not good."
Source: PAR
