Manchester United will be hoping to pick up where they left off prior to the international break when they welcome relegation-threatened Aston Villa to Old Trafford on Saturday.
Louis van Gaal's side dispatched of Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in their last two games to consolidate their position in the top four of the Premier League, but this weekend represents a different kind of test as they host a Villa side in need of the points in their fight against the drop.
Man United
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The Red Devils are finding top gear at just the right time. The results have been good throughout most of Van Gaal's debut season in charge, and now the performances are there to accompany them.
A 2-1 victory at arch rivals Liverpool last time out would undoubtedly have been their most pleasing result of the campaign, and it left them five points clear of the Merseysiders in the battle for the final Champions League spot.
So impressive have United's last two displays been, with Wayne Rooney back in a central striking role and Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata excelling in support of him, that United seem unlikely to throw away that advantage.
Eight points to leaders Chelsea is a gap even more improbably cut, but there may be a sense of frustration among United's fans that a title tilt would have been possible had this notable upturn happened just a few weeks sooner.
Nevertheless, a top-four finish has always been Van Gaal's public aim in his first season in the job and victory over Villa, which would mark a fifth successive league success, would take them one step closer to that target.
Three wins from three during March earned the Dutchman a nod for Premier League Manager of the Month, while Fellaini's goals and overall nuisance to opposition defences has seen him nominated for Player of the Month.
Recent form: WLWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): LWWLWW
Aston Villa
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Villa boss Tim Sherwood and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor are also up for those respective awards following a month in which the Midlands side clicked under their new manager to strengthen their survival chances.
A derby triumph over West Bromwich Albion and a 4-0 away thrashing of Sunderland sandwiched an FA Cup quarter-final win over the Baggies and saw the Villans climb from 19th to the safe ground of 16th in the table.
It is no coincidence that a more frequent supply of goals has produced better results. The seven scored in Sherwood's five league games in charge represent over a third of Villa's tally for the entire season and suggests that his infectious enthusiasm has spread across the dressing room.
Considering their recent improvement, conceding a late winner at home to Swansea City a fortnight ago would have irked Sherwood, who is well aware that the Premier League ever-presents remain firmly in the relegation mix, only three points above water.
Difficult fixtures await them too, with another trip to Manchester to face the champions and a spicy visit to former club Tottenham Hotspur to follow next week's crucial home game against fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers.
A positive result at Old Trafford would be a boost and a bonus ahead of their showdown with the Hoops.
Recent form: LLLWWL
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWWL
Team News
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Van Gaal is unlikely to deter from the starting XI that has earned rave reviews in United's last two games, although Chris Smalling is a minor doubt having been substituted in England's 1-1 draw in Italy because of illness.
Marcos Rojo is available again and on standby, but Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw remain absentees in defence. Robin van Persie is close to a return following three weeks out with a knee injury, but is not expected to be in contention.
Michael Carrick, applauded for his impact for the Three Lions in Turin, and former Villa winger Ashley Young should both keep their places as Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria prepare to be content with spots on the bench again.
Sherwood still has a host of defensive absentees - with Aly Cissokho, Nathan Baker, Philippe Senderos and Kieran Richardson all out - but the international break has allowed Ron Vlaar the time to recover from his latest injury.
Tom Cleverley is also sidelined, but would be unavailable anyway as part of the loan agreement which brought him to Villa from United in the summer. Ashley Westwood and Carlos Sanchez are vying for his midfield berth.
Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke will continue in a front two which has the potential to cause any side in the division problems on its day. The pair have six goals between them in their last four outings as a strike partnership.
Man United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Blind; Carrick, Herrera, Fellaini; Young, Mata, Rooney
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, Hutton; N'Zogbia, Sanchez, Delph, Sinclair; Benteke, Agbonlahor
Head To Head
Villa have not won any of their last 11 matches against United in all competitions, although they did hold them to a 1-1 draw in December as Benteke gave them a lead which was cancelled out by a rare Falcao United goal.
The visitors have conceded 14 times in the process of losing their last five games at the Theatre of Dreams, but have at least one man who has experience of winning there - Agbonlahor scored the winner in Villa's last victory at United in 2009.
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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Man United 3-1 Aston Villa
Should United replicate the sort of performance that they produced against Liverpool and Spurs, then they should be able to pick off Villa with ease, especially if the visitors come to Old Trafford and play with the positive mindset that Sherwood encourages. That would be an admirable, but perhaps fatal approach as it could leave them too open and an early United goal may well set them up for a comfortable afternoon.
Joe Fish
