The Race for Fourth - Swain Verdict
Chief Sports Writer Martin Swain gives his views on Villa's chances of fourth as title race continues.
Villa's demise has become a key ingredient in the race for the Premier League title.
At no time this season have Manchester United looked so vulnerable, after those two unimagined defeats by Liverpool and Fulham.
Not only did the setbacks shave down their lead to 'catchable' proportions for Liverpool and Chelsea, they came at the cost of red cards for Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney.
United face their next challenge without these pivotal figures, at a time when there may just be the kind of self doubt which rarely infects the Old Trafford home dressing room.
But, as if ready-made to order, who should it be walking into the visitors changing room a week Sunday but the most confidence-shredded team in the Premier League – Villa.
Had United been meeting Martin O'Neill's men when they were in the mood and form of two months ago, the 'wobble' which has breathed fresh life into the title race would contain even more excitement for Liverpool fans.
But the Kop will fear that - even without Vidic, Scholes and Rooney - United will still be able to brush aside a Villa team whose collapse has proved to be one of the most disappointing features of the season.
If, as must be expected, United win, then the sense of 'crisis over' will send them scampering into their remaining schedule in which clashes against Spurs, Manchester City and a reviving Arsenal are their biggest concerns.
Liverpool's exhilarating form has the capacity to stretch United all the way – but the two squads remain sharply separated by their capacity to withstand absences.
Take Vidic, Rooney and Scholes out of United and the players are there to withstand their withdrawals. Remove Torres and/or Gerrard from Liverpool and their output declines markedly.
But Liverpool have at least done something not previously seen and captured the imagination, a feat which continues to elude Chelsea even with their latest shuffle in the coach's room.
They remain too distant to catch the top - unless of course, Mr O'Neill is about to surprise us all at Old Trafford a week on Sunday.
But you've got to back United.
United's fixtures: Aston Villa (h), Sunderland (a), Portsmouth (h), Spurs (h), Middlesbrough (a), Man City (h), Wigan (a), Arsenal (h), Hull (a).
Liverpool's fixtures : Fulham (a), Blackburn (h), Arsenal (h), Hull (a), Newcastle (h), West Ham (a), West Brom (a), Spurs (h).
Chelsea's fixtures: Newcastle (a), Bolton (h), Everton (h), West Ham (a), Fulham (h), Arsenal (a), Blackburn (h), Sunderland (a).