Aston Villa: We can beat Manchester United at Old Trafford - Gerard Houllier

Gerard Houllier
Gerard Houllier

GERARD Houllier believes revitalised Aston Villa can end Manchester United’s 28-game unbeaten Premier League run tonight – after declaring himself satisfied with his squad for the rest of the season.

Villa completed a hectic January by signing Michael Bradley until the end of the season and loaning Stephen Ireland to Newcastle.

Houllier is convinced his improving team can repeat last season’s Old Trafford victory despite the title favourites’ last top-flight defeat coming at home to Chelsea in April last season.

Villa can take confidence from their enthralling 2-2 draw with Sir Alex Ferguson’s superstars at Villa Park in November – but Houllier rejects the theory that United have not played well this term.

“We’re capable of beating any team,” he said. “We need to take our hats off to the record so far of Manchester United – to stay undefeated for that many games. They’re impressive.

“They were impressive when we played them. It was a thrilling game, it could have been 3-0 or 4-0.

“The way they came back into the game – I think the goal from Federico Macheda changed everything because it brought a spark of hope. If we’d have been able to hold another ten minutes it would have been different.

“I wish I could play as badly as they do and have the same record! People say that but when they played well they battered Birmingham 5-0, Blackburn 7-1. I hope they don’t play well then!

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“Their record at home is good. I don’t agree with people when they say they don’t play well. I think they play well and they’ve got creative players who can make a difference.

“It would be a massive achievement to end their run, just as big as the one when we beat City here because they were undefeated for a long time away

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