Aston Villa host Manchester United on Sunday afternoon knowing that victory would move them level on points with the Premier League champions.

Paul Lambert's side had been enjoying an excellent period of form before a disappointing performance against Fulham last weekend saw them succumb to a 2-0 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Fabian Delph is missing for Villa after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign last week, while Ron Vlaar is unlikely to return from a calf injury.

Manchester United travel to Villa Park without a Premier League success in three games, but they did beat Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in midweek.

David Moyes will be without striker Robin van Persie, who has been ruled out for a month with a thigh injury, while midfielder Marouane Fellaini is likely to miss out with a back problem.

Recent form

Aston Villa: DWDDWL

Manchester United: DWDLLW

Possible starting lineups

Aston Villa: Guzan; Bacuna, Baker, Lowton, Clark; Westwood, Tonev, Sylla; Benteke, Weimann, Agbonlahor

Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Evra, Ferdinand, Evans; Jones, Cleverley, Valencia, Kagawa; Hernandez, Rooney

Sports Mole says: 1-2