Paul Lambert: We can overcome our United hoodoo
Paul Lambert today insisted his players will not be running scared against Manchester United and they possess the belief to break their Villa Park hoodoo.
Villa have not beaten the Red Devils in the Premier League on their own patch since goals from Ian Taylor, Mark Draper and Dwight Yorke gave them a 3-1 victory in August 1995.
The Scot conceded that the attacking qualities of Sir Alex Ferguson's side will partially determine his approach but promised the claret and blues will still be on the front foot.
"We have to believe that we can win. The belief in the football team at the minute is there," said the Villa boss.
"We are going to have to play well against them that's for sure, but on any given day anything can happen.
"I think you have to be realistic about what you are going to play against, but at the same time that should not deflect from your own strength that you want to go to try to win.
"The onus is always on the home team will be make the running because of the amount of people that come and drive you on.
"Manchester United are top side but equally so you don't want to buried in your own half for 90 minutes so you have to try do something in the game. We have to go impose ourselves on the game and try and win.
"The game is something we'll look forward to. The stadium will be jam-packed and the atmosphere will be great. On any given day you just never know what can happen."
Lambert also confirmed that Darren Bent is unlikely to be available after his struggles with an ankle injury returned again while left-back Joe Bennett (knee) is also doubtful.
"It is still not right at the minute. He had a scan on Wednesday and it's still too early so we will have to go with that same squad of players," added Lambert.
"It is just the way it is with the ankle at the moment. How long will he be out? Darren's doing ok at the minute but we'll have to wait and see.
"There are one or two others. Joe Bennett, we will have to see how he is as well. But I'm pretty sure whoever comes in will do their best.
"But Enda Stevens came in and did really fine against Sunderland. So credit to Enda for coming in a doing as well and I have no worries about him."