Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League encounter between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park.

The visitors come into this game on the back of an impressive run of form under Louis van Gaal having won their last six games. Villa saw their mini-revival come to an end last time out, meanwhile, and they will have to be at their best this afternoon if they are to halt a run of 18 league games without victory against the Red Devils on their home turf.

Kickoff in the West Midlands is now less than an hour away, so let's begin by taking a look at how these two sides line up...

TEAM NEWS!

ASTON VILLA STARTING XI: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Clark, Cissokho, Sanchez, Delph, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke

MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: De Gea, Jones, Carrick, Evans, Valencia, Fletcher, Mata, Rooney, Young, Van Persie, Falcao

Starting with the hosts, then, and manager Paul Lambert has opted to make four changes to his starting lineup. I say "opted" but it's more a case of his hand being forced due to injuries and suspensions. Alan Hutton, Kieran Richardson, Charles N'Zogbia and Tom Cleverley - the latter of whom is ineligible as well as suspended for today's clash - all drop out of the side. Matt Lowton, Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Andreas Weimann return to the fold.

Villa may be struggling with a somewhat depleted squad at the moment, but they have hardly become a weakened outfit with the likes of Delph and Vlaar returning here today. Vlaar has been linked with a move to today's opponents since last summer, incidentally, although he has been left out of the side for the last couple of games before being reintroduced this afternoon. Delph was flying earlier this season, meanwhile, before suffering from injury which has seen he miss the last 11 weeks. His return will be most welcome for a Villa side looking to push up the table.

In terms of today's in-form visitors, Van Gaal has handed a rare start to Colombian forward Radamel Falcao, who has experienced a frustrating campaign thus far since making the move to Old Trafford on loan in the summer. He will be given the chance to impress in the West Midlands this afternoon, though, alongside top-scorer Robin van Persie who retains his place.

Elsewhere, Ashley Young will start at wing-back against his former side, while Darren Fletcher comes in for Marouane Fellaini who has been suffering with illness over the past few days. Angel di Maria is only fit enough for a place among the substitutes, however, and Marcos Rojo misses out on the squad completely.

BENCH WATCH!

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Given, Bacuna, Herd, N'Zogbia, Robinson, Grealish, Calder

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Blackett, McNair, Rafael, Di Maria, Januzaj, Wilson

Academy product Riccardo Calder is named in Villa's matchday squad for the first time, while N'Zogbia will be keen to impress from the bench if called upon this afternoon in attack. In terms of United, the big news is that Di Maria is back among the squad, with Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson also having to make do with a place among the substitutes.

Will Villa have better luck in front of goal this afternoon compared to recent weeks?

29 - Man Utd's current run of six successive wins has seen them face 29 shots on target, four more than they've had themselves. Fortune. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 20, 2014

Well Villa come into this game on the back of defeat against local rivals West Bromwich Albion, which followed on from two-successive victories - in many ways encapsulating their season to date. It's hard to truly sum up the Villans' term, which started off remember with a four-game unbeaten run. That was followed up by nine games without a win - including six defeats in a row in that time frame - bringing us on to their latest run of results.

Thirteenth in the Premier League table is not a bad place to be heading into the festive fixtures, although you always get the impression with Villa that there is more to come. Boasting an attack of Gabby Agbonlahor, Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann, it is surprising to hear that no side in the top four divisions of English football has scored less times than Lambert's charges.

In fact, that is the lowest tally that any side has ever 'boasted' at this stage of a top-flight campaign, highlighted the biggest problem plaguing the club at this moment in time. It's also interesting to see that Villa's current record of five wins, four draws and seven losses is identical to this stage last season. With a run of five games in two weeks to come, all that could change - whether that means climbing up the table or dropping further down, we will soon see.

While Villa were fast out of the blocks are the start of the season, it was a different case for Van Gaal's United. Their 'worst start in X years' seemed to grow a decade with each passing game, as the Dutchman struggled to truly integrate his own style and philosophy on the side. However, supporters remained confident that he was the right man for the job, showing far more guile than predecessor David Moyes who left under a rather dark cloud earlier this year.

Six successive victories has certainly gone some way to quietening the doubters on the outside, albeit with United playing at half the ability that they should be at times. Although that in many ways is what will please fans most - winning without playing at your best; hallmarks of a great team. That is not to say that the Red Devils crop of 2014-15 are quite at the same level as Chelsea, say, at this moment in time. But under Van Gaal's leadership, with a few tweaks in January and players returning to fitness, you get the impression that title challenges will follow in the coming season once more.

Right now it is all about ticking over the games into the New Year, looking to close the gap on frontrunners Manchester City and Chelsea, while ultimately nailing down the realistic target of a top-four spot. One season without European football is bad, but two seasons could have a potentially severe effect on recruitment.

Brad Guzan could be in for a busy 90 minutes or so...

.@bguzan runs through some shot-stopping drills. #AVFC https://t.co/PuHrIUud94

— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) December 20, 2014

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: As touched on a little earlier, Aston Villa just do not like playing against Manchester United. Particularly at home, it seems, as they have failed to win a single league clash against the Red Devils since a 3-1 victory on the opening day of the 1995-96 season ("You can't win anything with kids"). That's a run stretching back 18 games, making this the longest such run in top-flight history.

It's not just at home that Villa tend to lose out in this fixture, either, having won just once against United in their last 37 league meetings. That came back at Old Trafford in 2009 when Agbonlahor's header sealed a famous win. More of the same this afternoon will do the Villans a world of good as they look to bounce back from last weekend's disappointing defeat.

DID YOU KNOW? No team has scored the opening goal in a Premier League game more often this season than Manchester United (11).

That previous statistic may come as little surprise going by the form of the visiting side's attacking talents. Juan Mata often goes under the radar, but he has bagged five goals from six shots on target this season. That, combined with Van Persie's seven strikes and Rooney's six, highlights why United are third only to Chelsea and Man City for goals scored in the top flight this campaign.

The absence of Di Maria once more - in the starting lineup, at least - is of course a blow, with the man named Argentina's Player of the Year this week (ahead of one Lionel Messi) creating 31 chances in his 11 league games as a United player. It doesn't get any better for Villa fans, either, with Rooney scoring more goals against the West Midlands outfit (12) than any other side that he has faced.

Villa may boast a strong defensive setup, but it's further forward that they have been let down. As touched on a little earlier, the forward trio of Agbonlahor, Weimann and Benteke, who on paper provide everything that you want from your forwards, have not truly clicked into gear. Could that all change this afternoon with the return of Delph?

Kickoff at Villa Park is now around five minutes away, making this the perfect time to check out Sports Mole's preview ahead of the game...

PREDICTION: Villa have yet to win back-to-back home games this season, and I expect that run to continue this afternoon against a United side in impressive form. Van Gaal's men have hardly been at their best over the past six games, but they have still won each picking off the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool in that time. If Villa are at their best they can certainly pull off an upset, although I'm going to back the visitors to take this one 2-0.

The teams are now out onto the field with the pre-match handshakes over and done with. This should be an entertaining contest, which is now just moments from getting underway.

KICKOFF! The hosts get proceedings underway at Villa Park in their traditional claret and blue kit.

A great early start from United, who attack down the left through former Villa man Ashley Young. He was given plenty of time and space before getting a low cross into the box, which just seemed to evade everyone. Van Persie was the closest to it, but he couldn't react in time inside the box.

Man United continue to knock the ball around, bossing the early possession stats inside their own half which won't concern Lambert too much at the moment. Carrick is dropping out of midfield to start attacks from the back, and it nearly paid off inside the opening two minutes when the ball was worked to Young for that early cross.

Villa have grown into the game a little more, but it's still the visitors who are in charge. Falcao, handed a rare start this afternoon following various injury problems, is dropping deep to collect the ball but there's been no real chances for him so far.

There's been some great passing moves from the Red Devils inside these opening 10 minutes, and it's mainly down to Carrick that they are allowed to do that. He is always open to take the ball on when his teammates are under pressure. United don't seem in any particular rush to break down their opponents at the moment; 80 minutes to go.

A slack pass from Benteke leads to Delph lunging in on Van Persie in an attempt to win possession back for his side, but in the end he took 100% of Van Persie and nothing of the ball. Perhaps a little lucky to avoid a booking there.

It's hard to nail down this United system at the moment, but it looks to me as though Van Persie is the out-and-out striker, while Mata is the man tasked with playing slightly off him. Falacao and Rooney are taking up deeper positions in midfield. Villa are struggling to get in the game.

In fairness to Villa they have remained strong at the back, although in truth the visitors have hardly looked to break through thus far. In hindsight that Van Persie half-chance inside the opening two minutes was a big opportunity squandered.

SAVE! The game has come to life in the last few moments. First United pushed into the hosts' box, with the ball eventually falling to Young only for his resulting strike to be well blocked by Sanchez. Villa then counter-attacked up the other end as Benteke looked to slide in Weimann but De Gea was quick off the mark to capture the ball. Van Persie was next to try his luck, striking the ball superbly on the volley but Guzan was equal to it.

What a brilliant goal from Christian Benteke to give Aston Villa a goal against the run of play. United have boasted 74% of the possession in the opening 18 minutes, yet it is the hosts who have edged ahead thanks to a moment of brilliance. The Belgian striker chested the ball down inside the area, shifted it onto his left and curled a strike into the top corner which left De Gea rooted to his spot.

Well that changes things. Man United have looked very impressive on the ball, knocking it around with relative ease and in the moments leading up to the goal starting to push into more advanced positions. The onus is very much on them now, though, and they will have to try harder to break down Villa.

Not a bad time to get it, either...

1 - Christian Benteke has scored a league goal at Villa Park for the first time since March 2014 (versus Stoke City). Timing. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 20, 2014

Falcao is given his first sight of goal but he is unable to connect with a ball into his path. United are not panicking after that Benteke strike, instead sticking to their passing game.

There's no denying that it's the visiting side's full-backs - or wing-backs in this case - who have had the better of things down either flank, although Cissokho has just gone on a rare burst forward to remind United's backline that they must remain compact and in shape.

Not a great deal of note to report over the pat few minutes in terms of chances, although United are no longer being allowed to pass the ball with the same ease in which they were enjoying early on. It is still they who are in control, although the hosts are finding some gaps. The ball was laid off to Delph just inside the area, but his strike was blocked away by Carrick.

SAVE! Guzan does well to get down to his left to keep out Young's cross, which evaded everyone inside the area and was sneaking into the back of the net if not for the American's intervention.

Van Gaal's side upping the ante a little more over the last five minutes or so, with the Claret and Blues just having to hold out until half time. It will be a huge boost if they can see out these next 10 minutes.

Villa are finding plenty of gaps in midfield high up the pitch when they spring counter-attacks, and they have done well to capitalise on these openings with some good movement. The visitors having to soak up a bit of pressure at the moment.

Van Persie, Falcao and Mata are playing in tandem now in a front three by the look of things, with each pressing high up looking to stop Villa from passing at the back. Van Gaal will not be too disappointed by what he has seen in this first half, but there is no denying that more is needed if they are to make the most of their heavy possession stats.

SHOT! Well the biggest cheer of the half is reserved for former Villa man Young who hammers the ball a good few yards over the bar with a strike from range.

This has been a game of individual battles so far, and Vlaar has certainly got the better of Van Persie in the opening 45 minutes as he once more comes out on top in a one-on-one tussle on his return to the side.

One minute of time has been added on at the end of the first half at Villa Park. Can United grab a goal before the interval?

The answer to that previous question is no. Referee Lee Mason brings the first half to a close to leave Villa on the brink of pulling off a memorable and very rare victory over United. Valencia led the final attack of the half, taking Rooney's cross-field pass in his stride before getting a low cross into the box which was hooked away.

The Red Devils took full control of the early stages of the contest, albeit without truly troubling Villa keeper Guzan, and against the run of play Benteke curled a spectacular effort beyond De Gea to give the hosts their half-time advantage.

Benteke's 18th-minute strike separates the two sides at the half-time interval...

© Getty Images

Carrick has proved to be a key player for the Red Devils in recent weeks, and that has been no different so far this afternoon despite the one-goal deficit. He misplaced just one of his 41 passes in the first half, proving to be one of the key components to the passing ethos from the back.

In terms of passing stats as a whole United have dominated with 329 to Villa's 168, and if further proof was needed of just how comfortable things were for the away side early on, the Villans completed just two passes in the opposition half in the opening 10 minutes. The game has panned out a little differently since then, however...

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Play has now resumed at Villa Park, and there's news of a change to bring you. Tyler Blackett has come on in place of Fletcher, meaning that Carrick will move into a more advanced midfield position.

SAVE! Great work from Benteke, who continues to charge at the United goal despite having three men around him. He eventually lays the ball off for Delph who sees his effort blocked behind for a corner, from which Benteke rises highest to head goalwards with De Gea producing a wonderful save to push the ball over.

Incidentally, this is the first time that United have found themselves behind in a game since early November when they trailed Man City. It will be interesting to see how they recover in this second half, although it is the home side who have started by far the stronger.

SAVE! Now it's Guzan's turn to produce a big save, keeping out Van Persie's drive from close range after the striker was picked out inside the box by Rooney's fine pass. The Dutchman will feel disappointed that he didn't tuck that one away. Big chance.

SAVE! United really turning the screw now, this time from a corner as the ball is played into the path of Mata who pushes into the box and looks to find the bottom corner with his drive. Guzan was down to not only keep the ball out, but also keep hold of it.

It's been coming. Young was the creator again once more down the left, and this time his ball into the box was met by a teammate as Falcao powered a header beyond Guzan for his second United goal.

Aston Villa really under the cosh at the moment as United continue to press in search of a second. Falaco couldn't quite get a shot away, while Van Persie's speculative overhead kick ended over the bar.

Weimann marked Rooney really well in the first half to restrict his passing, but the Englishman has been a key player in this second half. Villa have managed to relieve some of the pressure on them following that equaliser, although United are still looking strong when they push forward.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUB: Van Persie departs with the returning Angel di Maria coming on in his place. His return to the side is a huge boost for Van Gaal - can he make an immediate impact?

Benteke sweeps a fabulous ball out to Lowton on the right, which the full-back does well to take down before looking towards goal. Young was there to help out, though, proving that he is capable in both defence as well as in attack.

SAVE! Delph unleashes a shot on goal from around 25 yards out, and the awkward bounce meant that De Gea couldn't initially handle the ball, instead pouncing on it at the second attempt.

RED CARD! Agbonlahor has been shown a straight-red card following a crunching challenge on former teammate Young.

The forward gave referee Lee Mason little choice but to reach into his back pocket there, taking a swipe at Young with the ball well out of reach. Things are starting to go against Villa, who now must see out the next 23 minutes or so with 10 men. Backs to the wall stuff.

Perhaps surprisingly, Villa are the ones knocking on the door for a second goal at the moment. Delph's free kick causes a bit on panic in the United box, with both Weimann and Clark seeing their efforts blocked.

Mr Lineker clearly doesn't agree with my thoughts on that red card. I just feel that it was a needless challenge for Agbonlahor to make...

Red card for Agbonlahor but looked extremely harsh. — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 20, 2014

MANCHESTER UNITED SUB: Van Gaal roles the dice for the final time, introducing Wilson in place of Valencia.

YELLOW CARDS! Blackett enters the referee's book following a hefty challenge on Lowton, with Guzan joining the United youngster for dissent.

Carrick rises highest to flick Rooney's corner goalwards, although Okore is on hand to clear away for the second time in the same number of minutes. The Red Devils are starting to increase the tempo once more, although they need to do far more than we are currently seeing if they are to break down this stubborn Villa backline.

ASTON VILLA DOUBLE SUB: Paul Lambert freshens things up a little with a double change. Cissokho and Weimann are off, being replaced by N'Zogbia and Bacuna.

Play has been broken up constantly ever since that Agbonlahor red card, which works in Villa's favour. United need to find their passing groove once more as we enter the final 10 minutes, or else they will see their winning run come to an end here.

Credit to Villa because they are still attacking United, particularly through Delph who remains full of energy. His through-ball to Benteke caught the Belgian offside, however, with the chance coming to nothing.

The visitors are looking to pass to the flanks before crossing into the box, although Mata's ball is picked out of the air by Guzan who is happy to take his time getting back to his feet. Five minutes to go at Villa Park.

Okore uses his strength to halt Wilson. He has been very good this afternoon, as has the whole Villa backlike in fairness.

CLOSE! What a moment that would have been! Bacuna moves into an advanced position and takes range from 25 yards, seeing his shot sail narrowly over the bar. No signs of sitting back from the home side, who are determined to regain their lead late on despite being reduced to 10 men.

Young continues to cause panic in the Villa box, winning a corner for his side which Rooney steps up to take...

Guzan catches the set piece to relieve some more pressure on his side. Three minutes of added on time now being played at Villa Park.

United are pressing forward in search of a winner, but they are still not doing near enough to test Villa. They have just 60 seconds to find a way through and keep their winning run intact.

Carlos Sanchez has a pop at goal which De Gea is equal to, in what is surely the last attempt of the game.

Lee Mason brings things to a close in the West Midlands, ensuring that the points will be shared. United managed to peg Villa back in the second half through Falcao's bullet header, but they could not capitalise on Agbonlahor's red card to take all three points.

Well that's all from me for now, but be sure to stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you a full match report, player ratings and analysis from this afternoon's 1-1 draw at Villa Park.