Villa boss Smith told a press conference: "Our players are (still) chasing things.

"We've felt we've had some inconsistent performances, we lost a little bit of momentum. We want to finish the season well and I think people have seen that with our last two performances. We need to make sure we take that into the next game now.

"Our performance levels have gone up. We played against West Brom and had the most touches we've had in the opposition box since we got promoted. We then went to Everton and was on the front foot, created four or five big chances in the first half of the game and ended up worthy winners.

"We feel like we are going in the right direction again. These last five games, we want to hit those markers of creating big chances and being solid at the back."

While not willing to give specific details, Smith confirmed his team "have a target" for the remainder of the campaign.

"We've got some really good games coming up," Smith said.

"Manchester United, then we have the return against Everton. We have Chelsea last game, Tottenham, Crystal Palace. We've got some really good games to play, and the lads know where they want to finish, how high they want to do it, how well they want to finish.

"Our last two performances have been really good and we want to finish the way we started the season."

United reached the Europa League final on Thursday, while Manchester City and Chelsea are to meet in the Champions League final.

Asked about English clubs doing well in Europe, Smith said: "It certainly inspires us, and it's what the aims of this football club are – to be challenging for European places, whether that be Europa or Champions League. Eventually that's what we want to get to, what our owners want to get to, and the players and myself as well."

Sunday's game is part of a run of four in eight days for United, and Smith said with regard to the Villa Park contest: "I don't think they are going to change the way they play, personnel may change because of the games they've got, but their squad is good enough to rotate.

"I'm more worried that they don't get any penalties against us in this game. We've had a couple of dodgy ones against us in the last couple of games (against United)."

While the match comes too soon for Villa captain Jack Grealish, who has missed the last 11 games due to a shin problem, the midfielder was set to start training with his team-mates again on Saturday.

Morgan Sanson (knee) remains sidelined, with a return to training scheduled for next week, and Trezeguet is also out after damaging his ACL last month.