Man U v Aston Villa (12.45pm, Saturday)

Two enigmas wrapped up in riddles.

Man U and Aston Villa.

I guess it would be no fun if it was easy – although I’m not really sure about that. When was making money punting NOT fun?

The Saturday early fixture (12.45pm, BT Sport) brings together two sides that most punters are tearing their hair out over at the moment.

Man U crashed to an unprecedented SIXTH home defeat of the season earlier this week in the derby against City. We knew this wasn’t the Man U force of old but I have to admit to being hugely disappointed in the manner of the defeat.

The Old Trafford ship had seemingly being steadied after their superb turnaround of the Champions League tie against Olympiacos to reach the quarter finals and followed up by an easy win at West Ham.

Aston Villa are even harder to work out. They caused a massive shock when beating leaders Chelsea 1-0 but then in the space of week went down without a fight when losing 4-1 against Stoke.

Go figure ?

So what happens when you put the two together? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.

Historically, Villa tend to get thumped but did win 1-0 here in December 2009 – however that was their only win in the last 34 league and cup encounters !

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Dec 2013 Premier Aston Villa 0-3 Man Utd
Apr 2013 Premier Man Utd 3-0 Aston Villa
Nov 2012 Premier Aston Villa 2-3 Man Utd
Apr 2012 Premier Man Utd 4-0 Aston Villa
Dec 2011 Premier Aston Villa 0-1 Man Utd
Feb 2011 Premier Man Utd 3-1 Aston Villa
Nov 2010 Premier Aston Villa 2-2 Man Utd
Feb 2010 Carling Cup Aston Villa 1-2 Man Utd
Feb 2010 Premier Aston Villa 1-1 Man Utd
Dec 2009 Premier Man Utd 0-1 Aston Villa

For Man U, Nemanja Vidic is back after suspension but fellow defenders Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans remain doubtful and striker Robin van Persie is still sidelined with a knee injury.

Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa haven’t won away since beating Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day and are not likely to change things here.

A buy on the Man U supremacy looks the call on Star Spreads.

RECOMMENDED BET (scale 1-10 points)

BUY MAN U / VILLA for 10 points at around 1.4 with Star Spreads

RUNNING RETURN (MARCH): PROFIT 283.00 POINTS

RUNNING RETURN (YEAR): PROFIT 387.50 POINTS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.