Paul Lambert: Villa will try to attack United

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert isn't tolerating injury woes as an excuse and insists his side will be strong enough to topple in-form Manchester United.

His team will be without eight senior players for the Premier League clash.

United are chasing a seventh successive league triumph when they visit Villa Park tomorrow.

Lambert said: "There's a few out, but I am not going to sit here and be negative about it. I have total belief that we will go out there and try to win a game of football.

"We have got players who can hurt teams as well, that's for sure. The team I pick will be strong. We will go and try to win."

Villa are, however, boosted by the availability of midfielder Fabian Delph and defender Ron Vlaar.

But midfielder Ashley Westwood is out with a knee injury, while winger Kieran Richardson and right-back Alan Hutton are suspended.

United loanee Tom Cleverley is ineligible for the game.

Lambert also confirmed in his pre-match media briefing that midfielder Joe Cole (hamstring) and defender Philippe Senderos (calf) – although making good progress – will not be fit enough in time to face the Red Devils.

Defender Nathan Baker is also out, because of a knee injury. Striker Libor Kozak, meanwhile, is showing positive signs of recovery after suffering a broken leg back in January.

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"Fabian is coming back into the fray, Ron is back as well," said Lambert. "Philippe is doing well but he's not ready. It's too early for Joe. He's doing well but it's too early for him. Ashley and Nathan are out.

"Libor is doing alright. He had a scan yesterday. The bone is definitely getting stronger and healing.He's doing well but he's still a bit away."

Villa ended a two-month winless streak with back-to-back wins early this month. They won 1-0 at Crystal Palace before seeing off struggling Leicester 2-1 on home soil. Villa had carved a five-game unbeaten run, but suffered derby disappointment at the Hawthorns last Saturday when they were beaten 1-0 at Albion.

Villa will face a United side yet to find top form, in terms of performances.

But history isn't on Villa's side – United have won their last seven league games against them.

December, however, was the month the last time Villa triumphed against the Red Devils in the Premier League. Gabriel Agbonlahor grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 trumph at Old Trafford in 2009.