Man Utd v Villa preview

Leaders chase 14th win in a row over Villa

Last updated: 28th March 2008

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Scholes: Not a kid anymore

Skysports.com prediction: Man Utd 2 Aston Villa 0

One to watch: Paul Scholes

SkyBet Odds: Man Utd 2/7 Draw 7/2 Villa 8/1

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Manchester United will hope to continue their dominance over Aston Villa and open up an eight-point gap at the top of the table.

With nearest pursuers Chelsea not in action until Sunday, United can increase the pressure in their bid to retain the title.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have a hoodoo over Villa in recent history and have won the last 13 meetings between the two clubs, and have not lost in 21 clashes in all competitions.

Indeed, Villa's last victory over United in the Premier League was the famous 3-1 win at Villa Park on the opening day of the 1995/96 season.

Scholes to start?

Following the defeat, Ferguson was told 'you won't win anything with kids', yet ended the campaign as Double winners as the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville came to the fore.

With Neville still short of match fitness after a year out, Scholes is the only player from that defeat almost 13 years ago who will be involved on Saturday.

Scholes' international retirement means he is likely to start at Old Trafford, probably alongside Michael Carrick as Ferguson also has one eye on next Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Roma.

Louis Saha is out for at least two more weeks with a hamstring injury, while Carlos Tevez should return to the starting line-up after not playing for Argentina in midweek and Wayne Rooney only played 45 minutes for England.

Portuguese wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani withdrew from international duty in midweek, but should be fit, while Edwin van der Sar and Rio Ferdinand have shown no ill-effects from recent injuries.

Darren Fletcher is definitely missing for United after being ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury picked up when playing for Scotland in midweek.

Mellberg back

A poor run of form has seen Villa slip out of the European qualification picture and Martin O'Neill will be anxious to arrest the slump at Old Trafford.

Villa have failed to pick up three points in their last four matches and it is approaching 25 years since they last won at United.

O'Neill will be pressed into making at least one change to the team which suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Sunderland last week.

Craig Gardner has been ruled out for three weeks with a thigh strain, so Olof Mellberg is likely to come straight into the side at right-back after suspension.

Mellberg has revealed he has been following the results of Juventus, who he joins in the summer, but O'Neill has insisted he has no concerns about the Swede's current focus.

Scott Carson, who was sent off in the 4-1 home defeat in October, withdrew from the England squad with a minor knee injury, but the goalkeeper will be fit to face United.

Curtis Davies is out for the remainder of the season, so Zat Knight will continue his partnership in the centre of defence with Martin Laursen.