By David Hobbs
August 19 2005

Manchester United will be looking to continue the Premiership momentum they started in last Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton when they play hosts to Aston Villa.

Manchester United v. Aston Villa
Barclays Premier League
Old Trafford
20th October, 2005
12:45pm KO 

It'll be the first game of the new 2005/2006 Premiership season played at Old Trafford, much to the delight of Sir Alex Ferguson who had many players away on international action on Wednesday.

Aston Villa, hopefuls for Europe, opened their season with a 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers as Kevin Phillips netted on his debut for Villa. David O'Leary's team have never won at the Theatre of Dreams in the Premiership.

Villa will be hoping to keep the potent Wayne Rooney, who was impressive in England's poor 4-1 defeat to Denmark, at bay. Every Premiership game the youngster has scored in, United have gone on to win.

O'Leary is backing United to mount a serious title challenge and could even match Chelsea.  "I think Manchester United not winning anything last year will make them a hungry mob and they know they can't afford to have a slow start," he said.

"I don't think that Chelsea are unstoppable. I think they have got a tremendous Manager with a vast amount of clout to buy quality players with the Abramovitch money and a very hungry squad.

"Arsene Wengers's team struggled to defend their title and I think it will be very hard for Chelsea. I think that Arsenal and Manchester United are now two very hungry teams and will run them very close."

Team News: 
A Ryan Giggs return could be on the cards after the winger missed Wales' 0-0 draw with Slovenia in midweek. A chest infection has been bothering the Welshman. Quinton Fortune, Wes Brown, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are also struggling.

Park Ji Sung could continue his spell in midfield but Alan Smith's fine reserve performance against Bolton will give Sir Alex Ferguson something to ponder. Edwin van der Sar, Ruud van Nistelrooy, John O'Shea, Gabriel Heinze, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney all represented their countries in midweek.

Eric Djemba-Djemba could appear against the Red Devils but will have to contend with the likes of Davis and McCann for the midfield berth. Liam Ridgewell, Patrik Berger, Mark Delaney, Kevin Phillips, Martin Laursen and Lee Hendrie will all miss the game.

ManUtdWeb Prediction:
I'm going for a comfortable 2-0 draw with Villa, considering we're at home. Expect substitutions due to international friendlies but United's quality show prevail.

David Hobbs - Webmaster
[david@manutdweb.com]