Villa striker targets turning point

John Carew has urged Villa to make this weekend’s daunting trip to Manchester United a turning point of their season.

Villa travel to Old Trafford having slipped off the pace in the race for the only UEFA Cup spot.

Successive defeats and two points from their last 12 have left Martin O’Neill’s side eight points adrift of fifth-placed Everton.

But Villa have been unbeaten at the homes of all of the other “big four” this season and Carew believes they should go there with a positive outlook.

“It’s a match every footballer wants to play in so we’ll go there with a positive spirit, give everything we’ve got and enjoy the moment,” said Carew.

“If we do that, we’ll have a good chance of taking the points. If we could win there, it would be the turning point for us.”

Villa haven’t won at Old Trafford since Bonfire Night, 1983, when two Peter Withe goals gave them a 2-1 win.

That’s 22 meetings which have yielded just six points, but Carew believes Villa must seize the moment with time running out on their season.

“It doesn’t get any easier but it’s a great match and should be a great experience,” he said.

“There aren’t many games left now so we have to turn it around.

“We’re not writing off our chances.

“In our heads we take it one match at a time and try to win the matches left and if we do that, we still have a chance. It’s not over until it’s over.”