Aston Villa vs. Manchester United: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape EPL Game

Manchester United travel to Birmingham on Saturday, to face Aston Villa at Villa Park.

It is a place which holds many happy memories for United. 

From recent come-from-behind wins against the Villains, to serving as the backdrop for Ryan Giggs' remarkable FA Cup semi-final winner in 1999, Villa Park has often been a happy hunting ground for the Red Devils. 

Here are four of the key issues and decisions facing Louis van Gaal ahead of this game, as he seeks to add another good Villa Park memory to the list, and extend United's winning streak to seven.

Radamel Falcao

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The Colombian striker is yet to stamp his authority on the Premier League. With just one goal so far, and having faced a prolonged battle with his fitness, will Van Gaal select El Tigre? 

Falcao told the Press Association this week (h/t ManUtd.com): 

"

Whenever I have the opportunity to come on, I try to do my best for the coach [van Gaal] and I try to help the team. We talk a lot, the coach and I. He has a philosophy that I respect. I have had an injury and I have had to wait for the opportunity to play.

I am almost at 100 per cent now, so let's wait and see what the decision of the coach is, when he wants to use me more. We have a group of strikers who are very good and that's good for everyone. That means there is always a level of competition between us, healthy competition, and obviously I am very happy with how the team is doing.

"

With James Wilson selected ahead of him for last Saturday's 3-0 win over Liverpool, and both Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney on the scoresheet in that game, it will be intriguing to see whether Falcao is given a starting role in this one. 

Defensive Shape

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Michael Carrick played in a back three against Liverpool, with Jonny Evans and Phil Jones. With another week's fitness under Jones' and Evans' belts, it will be interesting to see whether Van Gaal reverts to a back four. 

Tactical flexibility, perhaps to a fault, has been the norm during the Dutchman's reign so far. During the recent six-game winning streak, three games have featured a back four, and the rest a back three. 

Whether it is in response to the opposition, or a response to the personnel available to him, Van Gaal has not been afraid to mix things up. 

Occasionally, this has looked like it has mixed United's players up as much as it has confused opponents, but for now, at least, it is working. Van Gaal faces a big decision in this area.

Ball Retention

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After the Liverpool game, Van Gaal said, per the Daily Mail: 

"

I think we have scored wonderful goals. We kept the shape really good but in spite of the goals we gave a lot of chances away. We have to improve.

It was so easy playing in the second half because we had so much space but nevertheless we gave the ball away. I have to ask the players why.

"

It is crucial that the Red Devils make it more difficult for their opponents to get the ball in good positions. Against Southampton, United conceded 15 shots on their goal, and against Liverpool it was 19, per WhoScored.com. David De Gea's outstanding form has been instrumental in United's winning streak.

Van Gaal will be hoping his men keep the ball better, so that less is asked of his 'keeper.

Continuing the Clinical Finishing

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By half-time in the Liverpool game, Opta were able to share this remarkable statistic on Twitter:

"

5 - @ManUtd have had five shots since kicking off vs Southampton on Monday and have scored with four of them. Superefficient.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 14, 2014"

It will be important for United's forward players to continue in that vein against Villa, especially if the team's overall performance level continues to fall short of Van Gaal's expectations.

Van Persie's resurgent form has been important for United, not just in the recent run, but also in terms of what is to come. His form and fitness have been a subject of much discussion among fans this season, and to see him back to something like his best again (against Southampton and Liverpool in particular) has been a delight for those with a care for United.

That it continues is a key issue ahead of this game, and ahead of the feast of football which follows over the Christmas and New Year period.