Villa v United: Preview

Published: 09 Feb 2010 - 13:46:07

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United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is delighted to be back playing regularly again as the Reds go into the business end of the season. The Dutchman will start at Villa Park as he keeps up his record of playing in every Premier League game this year. But that comes after two lengthy absences and a period of compassionate leave just before Christmas when his wife Annemarie suffered a brain haemorrhage. Thankfully, his wife has recovered sufficiently well for Van der Sar to resume his career at Old Trafford, bringing a sense of stability to a side that had been struggling for consistent results. "It feels really good to be back playing," he said. "It has been a stop-start season for me and you miss your weekly routine of training and games. "But if feels great to be back in the swing of things and playing for United again." The 39-year-old will be part of the old guard determined to keep up their fine form as they bid for a record fourth title. Veteran duo Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are set for recalls after not even making the bench for Saturday's 5-0 demolition of Portsmouth. Rio Ferdinand is suspended, while Nemanja Vidic has an outside chance of being involved for the first time this year after suffering a nerve problem in his leg last month. For Villa, Emile Heskey is struggling to be fit after suffering a groin injury in their 0-0 draw at Spurs at the weekend while Stephen Warnock is out with an ankle problem. United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Rafael, De Laet, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Park, Nani, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Anderson, Giggs, Rooney, Owen, Berbatov, Diouf. Villa (from): Friedel, Guzan, Beye, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, L Young, A Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing, Delph, Agbonlahor, Carew, Heskey, Delfouneso, Sidwell, Davies, Clark. United league form: WWWLW Villa league form: DWDDLL Key opponent: Gabriel Agbonlahor Scored the winner at Old Trafford Prediction: Villa 1 United 1 - The Reds may be forced to settle for a point against a well-organised side Agree with the prediction? Have your say. Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred.