Afternoon all. Thankfully, after what feels like a long international break, the Premier League is back! Here, we will be concentrating on Manchester United vs. Aston Villa at Old Trafford - two teams in need of the three points for very different reasons.

First of all, though, let's take a look at the two starting lineups, beginning with the home side...

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Blind; Carrick, Herrera; Mata, Fellaini, Young; Rooney

MAN UNITED SUBS: Valdes, Rafael, McNair, A Pereira, Januzaj, Di Maria, Falcao

It will be of little surprise to learn that Louis van Gaal has largely stuck with the same side that won against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in recent weeks. In fact, the only change is an enforced one with an ill Chris Smalling dropping out, which has handed a starting opportunity to Marcos Rojo alongside Phil Jones at centre-back. Meanwhile, on the bench, big summer signings Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao will once again have to wait for their chance.

And now for the away side...

VILLA XI: Guzan; Hutton, Okore, Clark, Lowton; Delph, Sanchez, N'Zogbia, Weimann; Agbonlahor, Benteke

VILLA SUBS: Given, Vlaar, Bacuna, Cole, Gil, Baker, Grealish

Well, it's fairly safe to say that Tim Sherwood is not planning for his Villa side to sit back at Old Trafford. He's gone with two up front in the form of Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor, while Charles N'Zogbia and Andreas Weimann will feature out wide. There is no Tom Cleverley, who is on loan from United, while Scott Sinclair is also not involved. Elsewhere, there is a change at full-back with Matt Lowton coming in to replace Leandro Bacuna.

So, with eight games to go, what is riding on this encounter? For United, it's huge as far as their hopes of returning to the Champions League are concerned. Heading into today's round of fixtures, fourth-placed United were five points better off than rivals Liverpool in fifth. To add further incentive, Liverpool are losing 3-0 away at Arsenal and with a defeat likely, a win for United today would move them eight points clear of the Merseysiders with seven games to go. It would take a poor sequence of results for United to blow it from there.

As for Villa, two wins in their last three Premier League outings has moved them out of the relegation zone. In fact, they are two places and three points ahead of Burnley, who occupy 18th spot. Three points today has the potential to put some real distance between Sherwood's men and danger.

If Villa are to pick up the win, they will have to overcome a very poor record against United. Since the 3-1 victory back in August 1995 when Alan Hansen famously proclaimed that you cannot win anything with kids, they have not enjoyed playing the Red Devils at all. Of the 43 meetings after that clash, they have come out on top just twice and only once in the Premier League.

Having said that, perhaps they can take some encouragement from the game between the two sides back in December. Benteke put Villa ahead with a stunning strike, but they were pegged back by Falcao. You can relieve the events at Villa Park here.

Can Villa cause an upset then? Here, our very own Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre have their say on the Sports Mole Sofa.

So, the chaps don't believe Villa are going to get anything from this clash, but Sherwood certainly does. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, he had every confidence in his team's ability to cause an upset.

"I think they are beatable, they have only lost two games at home all season, they have a terrific record at Old Trafford, but every team can beat anyone. It would be an upset - we believe we are capable of upsetting them."

As for his opposite number Van Gaal, he is expecting to come up against organised opponents:

"Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool wanted to attack but now we play Aston Villa. They shall organise themselves much more than Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool so it's again a challenge to confirm that we can disorganise Aston Villa," the Dutchman said during his pre-match press conference.

"Against a defensive team it's much more difficult to score than against, for example, Manchester City which is also an attacking team. But Chelsea is [another] more organised team so that is more difficult."

FULL TIME: It's all over at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal have ran out 4-1 winners over Liverpool. If United bag a victory today, is the Champions League race over? It looks that way. Match report from North London here.

Chances of a Wayne Rooney goal today? Quite high, it would seem:

How do you stop Rooney and his team, then? Well, on Twitter a little while ago, former Villa midfielder Ian Taylor gave his opinion:

"#Gameday!!! Difficult game against a confident #MUFC today! Let's get in their faces and upset them," he tweeted.

Right, with just under 10 minutes to go until we get underway, the players have returned to the dressing rooms for a final team talk with their respective managers. This really is a big game for both sides. Let's hope that it's reflected in the quality that we see on show!

It seems that Villa fans are still not willing to forgive Ashley Young for jumping ship back in 2011:

The players have now filtered into the tunnel area at Old Trafford and they will be making their way out on to the pitch shortly. Then, after the handshakes, we'll be underway.

KICKOFF! Visiting Villa, who will attack towards the Stretford End in the first half, get this encounter started.

Early surge forward from United as Young moves down the left flank. He picks out Daley Blind, who sends an instant cross into the area. Fellaini and Rooney are both in the vicinity, but Okore gets up early to head clear the danger.

More lively work down the United left, although this time it's Blind picking out Young. The Villa defence allows the winger to cut inside on his stronger right foot, but his low shot from 20 yards out is well blocked by Clark. Bright start from the home team.

PENALTY APPEAL! Huge shouts for a United penalty as Rooney, who is through on goal, goes down under a challenge from Clark inside the box. It looks to be a clear penalty, but referee Roger East waves away the protest. It's a poor decision from the official, who should also have sent the Villa defender off because he was the last man.

With Rooney and United still seething at that non-penalty decision, Villa spring forward. Benteke gets up high to flick the ball into the path of Agbonlahor, but with De Gea committed, the Villa frontman cannot get the ball under control and Valencia clears.

CHANCE! Big opportunity for United as the lively Young weaves his way towards the left byline. His low cross is cleared by Clark, but only as far as Mata. A goal looks inevitable, but the shot is poorly struck by the Spaniard and blocked by Clark.

Young is having a very good game against his former club at present. Again it's his cross that causes problems, but Fellaini cannot got the ball fully under control and the chance eventually passes.

It's another poor decision from the man with the whistle. He rightly awards Villa a free kick for a foul on Delph by Valencia, but for some reason he decides not to caution United's Ecuadorian full-back. It was a wild and high challenge, so he's very lucky.

SAVE! Wow, that's some strike from Rojo which came from nowhere. United's Argentine centre-back powers a shot goalwards from 30 yards out and the ball is heading for the roof of the net until Guzan sticks up a hand at the final moment to tip the ball over the bar. What a goal that would have been.

CHANCE! Mata showed great acrobatics at Anfield a fortnight ago, but Rooney couldn't copy the Spaniard today. Herrera releases Valencia with a perfectly weighted pass down the right wing. In turn, the full-back crosses for Rooney, who goes for the spectacular overhead kick. The United skipper fails to make a good connection, though, and the ball ends up running harmlessly out of play.

After a really good opening to this game, Young has sent over three very poor crosses within the last five minutes, much to the delight of the away faithful!

Some bad news for Villa because right-back Hutton is down with an ankle injury and he looks to be in some discomfort.

The Scot has had his ankle strapped up and he has returned to the action. He's not moving overly freely it must be said, so that's one that will probably be assessed at the break.

The hosts are ending this half in the ascendancy. They are completely controlling the possession, but too often the final pass is lacking in quality and Villa are able to relieve the pressure. It's a vicious cycle, though, because they cannot keep hold of it and instead give the the ball straight back to United.

After all that pressure, United make the breakthrough just moments before the interval. Young and Blind combine well down the left to pick out Herrera inside the area. The midfielder is given far too much space and he punishes the Villa defence by taking one touch, before drilling in his fourth Premier League goal of the season. It's a good finish from the Spaniard, but Sherwood will not be happy with his defenders.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

SAVE! It really should be 2-0 to United. Villa switch off at a corner, allowing Blind to pick out Rooney. His shot is blocked and when the rebound falls kindly for Rojo, he can only head the ball straight into the hands of Guzan.

There goes the whistle for the break and after applying plenty of pressure, it's the home side that deservedly lead thanks to that strike from Herrera. As it stands, United are going to jump above rivals Manchester City into third spot.

The performance may not have been as emphatic as the recent outings against Spurs and Liverpool, but it's still been a decent display from Van Gaal's men. They've been in complete control, although at times the final pass has been disappointing. They finally got it right in the closing stages and will no doubt be looking to press home that advantage after the restart.

As for Villa, they've got plenty of pace in the team, but haven't been able to use it. The goal aside, they've been sound defensively, but the anticipated counter-attack hasn't materialised. On the balance of play, it's hard to see that changing as well because United have had so much of the ball. Somehow, Sherwood's side need to get more possession.

MATCH ACTION! Before we get back underway, here's an action shot as Benteke battles for possession with United defender Valencia and Jones.

RESTART! As United get us back underway at Old Trafford, it's little surprise to see that Hutton has come off for Villa. He was limping badly and has been replaced by Bacuna.

CHANCE! A big warning sign for United as Weimann gets by Valencia far too easily. The Austrian's cutback picks out an unmarked Benteke, but off balance, the Belgian fires over from 10 yards out. At the very least he should have been hitting the target there.

CHANCE! Meanwhile, up the other end, United go ever so close to scoring a second goal. Mata picks out Young with a cross-field pass and once again the Villa defence allow him to cut inside. This time he does get a shot in, which has Guzan scrambling. It looks like the Villa goalkeeper is struggling, but thankfully for him the ball skids an inch wide of the post.

Another sight of goal for United as Rooney is fouled 25 yards from goal. He hands over the set-piece duty to Mata, but the Spaniard's effort flies harmlessly over the top.

MATCH ACTION! Here's Herrera firing the home side in front.

VILLA SUB: A second change of the match for Villa as centre-back Baker replaces N'Zogbia. Baker has gone into left-back, which has seen Bacuna push further forward.

SAVE! And that really should be 2-0 to United. Valencia stands up a decent cross to the back post for Fellaini, who has what appears to be a simple header from six yards out. However, he heads his effort into the ground far too early, which sees the ball bounce up at a kind height for Guzan, who tips it over for a corner.

Down on the touchline, Di Maria is going through his paces. It might not be long until we see the Argentine, who is in need of some good form, come on.

CHANCE! Another chance goes begging for United. Rooney robs Sanchez off possession and races into the penalty area, only to prod his effort wide of the target.

MAN UNITED SUB: As predicted, here comes Di Maria. He's taken the place of Young, who has had a quiet second half compared to his display during the opening 45 minutes.

Moments after Di Maria comes on, Falcao is out to go through his paces. Maybe the Colombian will soon be on, perhaps in place of the ineffective Fellaini.

SUBS: Here comes Falcao and as predicted it's at the expense of Fellaini. The Colombian receives a great reception from the home fans. Villa also make their final change of the game as Joe Cole comes on for Weimann.

Villa must be sick of the sight of Rooney - he always scores against them! And what a goal it was. Di Maria's cross his head height and behind the United skipper, but he somehow brings it down with his boot. Then, with the ball rising, he sends a half-volley crashing into the top corner. Game over? You'd think so.

Hold your horses! Villa are back in this game. De Gea has been United's best player this season, but he's to blame on this occasion. Benteke's low shot from a corner is straight at the United keeper, who somehow lets the ball squirm in underneath his body. Old Trafford, which was bouncing moments ago, has been somewhat silenced. Game on again!

BOOKING! The first booking of the contest goes to Delph, who hacks down Di Maria as United looked to launch a counter-attack. That's called taking one for the team!

Nervy moments for United as Benteke rises above Jones to knock the ball down for Agbonlahor. Thankfully for the home team, the Villa striker is on his heals and Rojo is able to clear. Villa are ending this game strongly in pursuit of an equalising goal.

There will be four minutes of stoppage time at the end of this contest. Can Villa snatch a late equaliser?

No, they can't because United have wrapped up the three points with their third goal of the contest. Rooney wrestles possession away from Delph and United are away. He picks out Mata, who in turn calmly rolls the ball into the path of Herrera on the edge of the box. After that, it's all about Herrera's composure as he neatly finds the bottom corner. United are heading for third spot.

There goes the whistle for the end of the game and although it was a little too close for comfort as far as Van Gaal is concerned, his side's good form continues. They are now up to third and next up is the small matter of the Manchester derby!

As for Villa, they remain three points above the relegation zone, with a crunch match against fellow strugglers QPR to come on Tuesday. The R's won impressively at West Bromwich Albion today.

That's all we have time for from Old Trafford. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and be sure to stick with Sports Mole into the evening as we bring you match reaction, analysis and player ratings. Until next time, goodbye.