Villa v Man Utd

Aston Villa v Manchester United

Villa Park

Kick off 5.15pm

Olof Mellberg has warned his team-mates they must be at their best for 90 minutes if they are to get anything from Manchester United in tomorrow night’s FA Cup tie at Villa Park.

Mellberg has been on the losing side to United on two occasions at this stage before, while he missed another third round defeat through suspension as the sides meet for the fourth time in six years tomorrow tea-time.

Villa gave United a fright earlier this season when they led and were the better team for half an hour before the visitors stunned O’Neill’s side with three goals in 15 minutes before half-time.

The Swedish international – who equalised the last time Villa avoided defeat against United in a 1-1 Old Trafford draw in October 2002 – admits any mistake is punished against the Premier

League champions. “You must be consistent against these teams – you need to play well over 90 minutes and hopefully we can do that tomorrow,” he said.

“We know we can do it because we have done it against top teams such as Chelsea and Arsenal this season.

“But in these games you have to be consistent over 90 minutes. We gave them a fright earlier in the season and went ahead in a really good, 20-30 minute spell, but then had a really bad 10-15 minute spell.

“They’re so good – if you drop too deep, they will punish you so you can’t afford any lapses.

“Maybe within the game you have to raise your lowest level a bit and try to punish them when you have your good spells.”

Villa have gone five games without defeat and sit sixth in the Premier League, leaving them in a much stronger position than they were this time last year, when they were soundly beaten by United three times in as many weeks to make it 12 consecutive losses in a row.

“We’ve really struggled against Manchester United in the past, especially in the FA Cup – this will be the fourth time I’ve played them in the third round of the Cup since I’ve been at the club and we’ve been beaten every time,” he said.

“So hopefully we can do better this year. We seem to get these tough draws. 

“But we’re in good form now and hopefully we can get something out of it.”

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