Fergie - Villa set for top four

United boss believes Villa have what it takes to gatecrash top four

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 21st November 2008

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Ferguson: Wary of Villa threat

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has re-iterated his belief that Aston Villa are good enough to finish in the top four come the end of the season.

On Saturday Ferguson takes his side to Villa Park, where they have won 11 times in their 16 meetings since the Premier League began.

But it is Villa's form this season and in particular their win over Arsenal at the Emirates last week which has made Ferguson sit up and take notice.

He said: "I thought their performance against Arsenal was outstanding last week and I expect a difficult challenge."

The win at the Emirates sees Villa tucked just beneath the Gunners in fifth place, separated only by goal difference, while Martin O'Neill's men are only one point behind United in third.

For this reason Ferguson believes that Villa are close to breaking the top four's hold on the Premier League.

Impressed

He said: "I think they have a chance. I think they can do that. At the moment they're level with Arsenal, just behind us, that's a good position to be in."

The United boss is in no doubt what the reason is behind Villa's improvement in recent seasons.

He added: "Without question, Villa are an improving side and Martin (O'Neill) has done a fantastic job there. He never changes his side much from the previous week so they have that consistency.

"Martin is one of the best managers in the game. He's proved himself.

"The only way you can judge managers is how they prove themselves over a period and the job he did at Leicester, Celtic and now Villa shows he is an obvious top manager, no question about that."

The Red Devils travel to Villa Park without striker Dimitar Berbatov, who had to be substituted for Bulgaria in their friendly defeat to Serbia, but could be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney, as he looks to have shaken off a calf injury to partner either Carlos Tevez or Danny Welbeck in attack.

He added: "We've got options. Welbeck is a good one to have because he's fresh, he's improving and he's a different type of player from what we have.

"If Rooney is fit, I'm not in bad shape in terms of options up front."