Villa defender Luke Young admits the historic win at Old Trafford could work against them as Manchester United seek “revenge” for their December defeat.

Gabby Agbonlahor’s goal ended Villa’s 26-year wait for a win at the Red Devils’ home last December, while giving them their first Premier League victory over the champions since 1995.

But Young fears Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who have scored 24 in their last seven league games, will be gunning to set the record straight tomorrow night at Villa Park, for what is a dress rehearsal for this month’s Carling Cup final on February 28.

He said: “The win is probably a bit of a negative for us, because they will be out for revenge. They will be looking to put one over us on our own patch, after we went there and frustrated them and came away with a 1-0 win.

“Perhaps it will work in their favour but we’ll be trying to win the match. We have done well. We’re up for every game, we try to win every game and the bigger the game the better for us at the minute.

“But it doesn’t come any bigger than Manchester United.”

While United, who are two points behind leaders Chelsea, have been scoring goals for fun, Villa have excelled at keeping them out, having kept clean sheets in their last four league games.

Despite remaining seventh following this weekend’s goalless draw at Tottenham, they stand just three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool and Young reckons Villa, who have lost just twice in their last 18, are champing at the bit.

He said: “The games are coming thick and fast, but when you are on a run where you are not losing games your confidence is up and you look forward to playing them. United always seem to go on great runs this time of year. They turn from Christmas and seem to go on a great run and they’re on one at the minute.

“It will be difficult game for us but the refreshing thing for me playing at Aston Villa is that we try to win every single game we go into.

“We don’t come anywhere and get 11 men behind the ball to try to nick a goal, we try to win and that will be no different against Manchester United.”