United look to reduce Chelsea's lead

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was forced to make one change as his side looked to cut Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea’s advantage to six points by winning at Villa Park.

Midfielder Alan Smith, who had played under Villa boss David O’Leary at Leeds, was suffering from flu and he was replaced by Park Ji-Sung.

United were looking to extend their unbeaten league run to seven matches and history was stacked in their favour with Villa having failed to win in the last 20 top flight meetings with the Red Devils.

O’Leary made two changes with injured skipper and central defender Olof Mellberg making way for Mark Delaney who has just recovered from a groin problem.

Midfielder Steven Davis, believed to be a target for United, was recalled with Lee Hendrie relegated to the substitutes’ bench.

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Delaney, Hughes, Ridgewell, Bouma, Milner, Bakke, Davis, McCann, Barry, Baros. Replacements: Hendrie, Angel, Taylor, De la Cruz, Moore.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, O’Shea, Fletcher, Park, Scholes, Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Rooney. Replacements: Howard, Ronaldo, Bardsley, Jones, Rossi.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral)