All the footprints you've ever left and fear expecting ahead (Aston Villa)

If it hadn't been for the previous two games we'd all be sat here now with three points in our metaphorical bag. And as far as I'm concerned there's no real reason to change that assessment. We had three bad halves of football - the second half against Fulham we looked almost back up to speed and with a bit more luck and some better finishing we'd have got at least a point out of the game. So as far as talk of our form being entirely off going into this game, I'd prefer to see it as us getting our form back just too late to save us against Fulham, but in perfect time to come into this game. The only thing that's different is the pressure that 2 bad results (and a couple of good results for some one else) bring, and let us assume that a) the international break will have eased that feeling of pressure anyway and, b) it's not like we're not used to the pressure and we usually cope more than adequately.
3 points it is then.
And it helps that it's Villa (assuming we forget that Fulham's record against us was rubbish before they went and beat us). Let's look at the figures, from the BBC:

Manchester United are chasing a sixth successive Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford, which would also be their 50th home league victory over the Midlanders , and their 75th home and away against them. Villa have not taken away maximum points from the Theatre of Dreams since a 1-2 triumph on 5 November 1983, with the aid of a brace from Peter Withe.

Aston Villa have lost more matches (23) and dropped more points (85) to Manchester United than to any other club in the Premier League.

Martin O'Neill has never beaten Manchester United as Aston Villa manager, but he did gain two wins over Sir Alex Ferguson when in charge of Leicester. The two men have plotted tactics against each other in 16 games in their managerial careers, 10 of which United have won and four have been drawn.

Villa on a worse run than us (if you can call two defeats after however many straight victories a "run"...) as well. Everything bodes well.
To the teams and Sky Sports gives this as it's possible:

Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Park, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Tevez.

While the Telegraph goes for the same with the exception of Anderson for Carrick, which I don't really see, given Anderson's long trip and Carrick not playing for long in the internationals. So I think the Sky team is pretty likely, although Sir Alex did spend some time on the possibility of playing Welbeck or Macheda, but I think that's more likely to be a switch to save some legs in preparation for Tuesday when we're coasting to victory in the second half...
So I foresee an easy victory, hopefully going out all guns blazing so we can relax, keep possession, let the ball do the work and take a few important players off ready for the Champions League on Tuesday.
Prediction 2-0, and given my recent over-confidence, I err on the side of caution with that...