After sorting out some unfinished FA Cup business with Exeter City in midweek, it's back to the Premiership for The Red Devils as they take on Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United stumbled in the initial FA Cup 3rd round game with the Gracians, so a replay was forced, and proved to be somewhat of an inconvenience as Sir Alex Ferguson had to call up his big-guns to seal the place in the next round. United have put together a great run of form following that, keeping eight consecutive clean-sheets despite goalkeeping confusion. 

Ferguson and his side only last played Villa last month and claimed all three points at Villa Park thanks to Ryan Giggs' sterling effort, firing past Thomas Sorensen in the first-half. 

Since failing to capture the signature of James Beattie, who consequently moved to Everton, Villa have picked up just 6 points in as many games and sit bang in the middle of the league, in 10th place.

Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that Rio Ferdinand will be back in squad to face Villa after recovering in time from a hamstring injury. "Rio's fit and he will play against Aston Villa," said Fergie.

Ferguson also confirmed that injury situation of striker Alan Smith, confirming: "Alan Smith won't play in Saturday's game. He went into full training on Sunday and will hopefully be ready for the game on Wednesday."

The Scot still relishes the opportunity of taking on Villa and is happy the game isn't being played at Villa Park. "Aston Villa are a good football team. In the game at Villa Park, it was a very open match and they went gung-ho. They had four upfront in the last fifteen minutes and that shows their confidence in playing attacking football."

"That is the type of side they are. I think they’ll have a go. They lost a game 3-0 at Middlesbrough recently and you can’t believe that scoreline. They played absolutely brilliant football." Ferguson continued.

"They have some nice footballers in the middle of the park and they all want the ball. We have to be aware that the reason we are in the position we are in and why our form has been so good is down to our defending."

Thomas Hitzlsperger is set to return after a six-week injury, whilst Gary Neville returns to right-back for United.

ManUtdWeb Prediction: Manchester United 2 - 1 Aston Villa - 1983 was the last time Villa took maximum-points away from Old Trafford and I'm sure the record will be extended further after tomorrow. Villa have been patchy and United have been on-form. United should take all the points.