Aston Villa captain Micah Richards has stated that the team must improve their home form this season if they are to avoid another disappointing campaign.

The Midlands outfit won just five games at Villa Park last term in the Premier League, which saw them dragged into a relegation battle.

Tim Sherwood's side play in front of their home supporters in the league for the first time on Friday evening when they host Manchester United.

"We want to make Villa Park a fortress this season - somewhere teams hate coming to," Richards told the Birmingham Mail.

"And there's no better way of putting down a marker than beating United on Friday."

Villa won their opening game of the season 1-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday.