Ron Vlaar wishes Dutch team-mate Robin Van Persie well as Aston Villa travel to Manchester United
Ron Vlaar would have preferred to face Robin van Persie tomorrow – but has instead wished him a speedy recovery.
The Villa skipper wants his Holland team-mate back on the pitch to spearhead their World Cup challenge.
Van Persie is out for Villa's trip to Old Trafford with a sprained knee suffered after scoring a hat-trick in Manchester United's 3-0 Champions League victory over Olympiakos.
And his treble in the fixture last season clinched the title for United as they brushed aside Villa 3-0 in April 2013.
Times have changed and United's implosion continued with their 3-0 Manchester derby defeat on Tuesday with Sir Alex Ferguson targeted by angry fans over his recommendation to appoint David Moyes.
Under-fire Old Trafford chief Moyes is believed to be close to losing the support of key players after a disastrous year which has left United seventh and 12 points off the Champions League places.
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Such is United's decline that Red Devils and Albion legend Bryan Robson has urged them to do everything they can to qualify for the Europa League.
"I think the chance of Champions League qualification has gone," the ex-skipper admitted.
United's prospects have been hit further with Van Persie ruled out for up to five weeks.
The striker has admitted he fears missing the World Cup in Brazil when Holland go into group action in Spain, Chile and Australia in June.
Both Vlaar and Van Persie are certain to be included in the Dutch squad, barring injury, and the Villa skipper is understandably eager to see his team-mate back in harness.
"He's not playing, unfortunately, but I hope he's back really soon because we need him for the summer," he said.
"He showed what he's capable of last Wednesday. He scored three massive goals for them and he's a top-quality player.
"Tomorrow is a different game to last year but they still have a lot of quality.
"I watched them last Wednesday and on Saturday and if they want to make something from the season, they have to win all their games and we have to deal with that.
"All the players have a lot of qualities.
"We also have to look to ourselves how we can play football. It's a great opportunity to step up again."
Villa are smarting from the 4-1 defeat to Stoke on Sunday – their heaviest Premier League defeat of the season and the Potters' first win at Villa Park since 1988.
It came after they beat leaders Chelsea 1-0 as their season of contrasting performances and fortunes continues.
Vlaar admitted this week that he was furious about both the loss and his own personal performance and said he must improve.
But he dismissed any suggestions that the claret and blues took lightly a Stoke outfit who had not won away in the league since August.
"It's easy to say maybe we thought about it too easily, but we talked about it a lot," said the 29-year-old.
"Everyone can expect a lot but it all starts with the right discipline and good effort in the game.
"These games still happen, but we are improving, we are getting better.
"It was a good lesson again. You can lose a game, but 4-1 is too big.
"We conceded against four against Tottenham and three against West Brom but we won that game.
"We weren't ourselves against Stoke. All over the pitch we made too many wrong decisions and gave the goals away too easily."
Andi Weimann (dead leg) and Karim El Ahamdi (thigh) are doubts with Marc Albrighton and Yacouba Sylla on stand-by to replace them.
Ciaran Clark could replace Nathan Baker after the defender's difficult game against Stoke while Matt Lowton may also return.
