Manchester United vs. Aston Villa: Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and More

After pulling eight points clear at the top of the English Premier League table and seemingly taking with them their 20th league title, Manchester United were brought back down to earth with a 1-0 loss to Wigan Athletic during the week.

The loss reduces their lead to just five points, and with Manchester City more than capable of bridging the gap, every match from this point on significantly affects the chances of either side walking away with the silverware.

Aston Villa sit in 15th and face an imposing away trip to Old Trafford. But, they have managed to take points away from Liverpool, Chelsea, Sunderland and Stoke City on the road this season and certainly have the capacity to cause the Red Devils some headaches in this one.

They also sit precariously above the relegation zone. But considering the recent form of Wigan and the ability that sides like Queens Park Rangers have shown, they'll definitely be conscious of turning out a good performance in this one.

Manchester United have the league title in their sights; they shouldn't slip up against Aston Villa, but they shouldn't have slipped up against Wigan Athletic, either.

Everything you need to know and more about this significant match is right here, so with that, let's roll.

Where: Old Trafford Stadium

Start time: Sunday, April 15 at 11 a.m. ET

Live Stream: ESPN

Key Question: Can Manchester United be stopped at Old Trafford?

With a shocking 3-2 loss to Blackburn and that infamous 6-1 drubbing to Manchester City, the Red Devils have otherwise been solid at home all year, dropping just these two matches all season long.

Aston Villa's away form has been competent all year, as mentioned above, but traveling to Old Trafford is one of football's toughest tasks—especially against a Manchester United side coming off of a loss and gunning for their 20th English Premier League title.

The Red Devils are averaging 2.62 goals per game at home, as well as an imposing 0.84 goals against per match for the season. They've chalked up clean sheets in more than half of their matches in front of the Manchester faithful this season, with David de Gea turning into one of the most prolific goalkeepers in the league.

While stopping United at home might seem idealistic, the reality is that it is one of the toughest tasks in world football, and Aston Villa don't appear to have the ability to match up with Manchester at home. Villa have failed to score in over a third of their away matches this year and seem to lack the firepower to trouble United at home.

3 Key Numbers

11: It's been 11 matches since Aston Villa won on the road, with a shocking 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in December being their last away victory. And while they haven't lost on the road to any side in the Premier League ranked lower than sixth, every side ranked higher than that has beaten them. Currently sitting first, Manchester United look set to continue that run.

22: Wayne Rooney's goal scoring currently sits at 22 for the Premier League this season and looks set to increase in this one. The English striker has found the back of the net 13 times at Old Trafford this season, scoring in each of his last four matches at home.

6: That's how many times Aston Villa have been held scoreless on the road this year. Against an ever-improving United back line that will simply starve the visitors of possession, it could very well be lucky No. 7 for the Villains. They've only scored twice in their past four matches away from home, with their average for the year currently sitting at 1.06 goals per game.

Prediction: Manchester United will win 4-0

United are five points clear at the top of the table and should keep the margin right there with a win at home over a struggling Aston Villa side.

Yes, the loss last week to Wigan wasn't ideal, but the fact of the matter is that it's still five points, and they are still the team to catch.

Manchester won't take it easy on the Villains and may use this match as a statement to their rivals that they are in top form and that last week was merely a slip-up, rather than evidence of a larger problem. They played possession and field position in their last home match against Queens Park Rangers; I think they could play stick the ball in the back of the net in this one.

Wayne Rooney will continue his goal-scoring run for the hosts, as will Antonio Valencia. Michael Carrick will grab one from the midfield before Javier Hernandez hammers home their fourth in stoppage time, as David De Gea records another clean sheet, and Manchester United move one step closer to their 20th English Premier League title.

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