By Chris O'Brien
December 21 2006

With Chelsea breathing down the necks of Manchester United; the pressure is on as the Red Devils travel to Villa Park on Saturday. Can United return to winning ways and secure there place at the top of the Premiership tree come Christmas Day.

Manchester United will be keen to put last weekend's Upton Park defeat behind them on Saturday as the visit the Midlands to face Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa.

A second-half strike from Nigel Reo-Coker was enough to sink the Red Devils in the capital; meaning Chelsea cut United's lead at the top of the pile to just two points. This makes the trip to Villa Park all the more important for Sir Alex Ferguson's men in a game which will be billed as a dress rehearsal for next month's FA Cup third round tie at Old Trafford.

Victory for United will see them earn back a five-point lead at the Premiership's summit with big-spending Chelsea kicking-off against Wigan at 5.15pm. However, it promises to be a tough afternoon against the Villains who have enjoyed something of a resurgence since the arrival of O'Neill. They currently sit 9th Premiership table and boast an impressive home record with a return of fifteen points from nine games.

However, Villa will go into the game on the back of a disappointing run of form with their run without a win stretching to six games. Draws with Wigan, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Sheffield United mixed with defeats at home to Bolton and Manchester City have dented an impressive start to the Premiership season.

United have no fresh injury concerns following defeat at the Boleyn Ground so it will be interesting to see if Sir Alex makes any changes from what is arguably his strongest XI. Last Saturday's loss will have, without doubt, fired up Fergie's men and they will be desperate to continue their amazing record against Villa - winning ten of their last eleven encounters - and keep themselves top of the Premiership pile on Christmas Day.

The game will mark a special occasion for many Villa fans as their former manager Ron Saunders has been pencilled in to make a special guest appearance. The 74-year-old spent eight years as manager of the club leading them to League Cup success in 1975 and then again in 1977.

United travelled to Villa Park in a festive fixture this time last season and came away with a 2-0 victory. The bookies are tipping the League Cup holders to take all three points again with the Reds priced up as 3/5 favourites with most high-street bookies. The home win is priced at 9/2 whilst the draw looks tasty value at 12/5.

Enjoy the game and let's hope a win kicks start the festive period for the travelling Red Army!