It is more than ten years since Manchester United last lost at Villa Park - they turned up one hot August afternoon in a shiny, silver strip looking like a bunch of Christmas turkeys and played like them.

'That's the only 'silverwear' they'll have this season', crowed one critic as Brian Little's Villa scored three times in little more than half an hour through Ian Taylor, Mark Draper and a Dwight Yorke penalty.

All Alex Ferguson's United had to remember was a late consolation goal by young substitute David Beckham . . . and, oh yes, a rather memorable quote from Alan Hansen that night on Match of the Day.

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In verbally slaughtering the efforts of Fergie's fledglings, Beckham, Lee Sharpe, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers, Hansen offered his immortal line that "You win nothing with kids".

Nine months later, those same United "kids" had won the title. The FA Cup too.

Hansen's blushes were partially spared by the observation that it was two of United's ' old hands', Peter Schmeichel and Eric Cantona (still serving his ban that day for his infamous attack on a Crystal Palace fan), who proved to be the deciding factor.

It is a situation comparable to the level of abuse being hurled United's way in the wake of last week's early exit from Europe, not to mention failing to win at home to Everton last Sunday.

But, before David O'Leary, the Villa manager, starts to become too excited he must weigh up any psychological hold United have.

Villa do have striker Kevin Phillips, who has scored five times against United, one of them an extra-time winner in the League Cup for Sunderland five seasons ago. Sadly, Phillips last night underwent keyhole surgery on his ankle.

It was an injury described by O'Leary last week as a mere routine sprain and "nothing to worry about". But the discomfort remained during training and O'Leary says: "There could be a little bit of floating bone that's irritating him. Hopefully it won't put him out for too long. But, until we know the results, we can't say just how long."

With Phillips out of the equation, that leaves only three players in Villa's likely starting line-up who have experience of beating United.

Milan Baros, when he played for Liverpool, lost all four Premiership meetings he had with United but, as a second-half substitute at the Millennium Stadium, helped G>rard Houllier's men win the 2003 League Cup.

Newcastle United old boy Aaron Hughes has been on the end of a few United hammerings but was also in the team in February 2000 when outplayed United lost 3-0 at St James' Park.

Then there's Eirik Bakke. He was twice in Leeds United teams who drew 1-1 with United. In another game, he came on at 4-1 down at Elland Road, almost helping pull off an amazing comeback before losing 4-3. Most memorably of all, in September 2002, he came off the bench at half time with the game still goalless and helped set up a 1-0 win.

Put simply, he knows what getting results against United is all about. As befits any son of Elland Road (even a temporarily estranged one), he is well up for this weekend's lunchtime showdown.

"I'm still officially a Leeds player," he said. "There is a special rivalry between Leeds and Man U. Although any result against United is a bonus, we'll give it a go.

"We just have to keep working hard and get in their faces, because that's what they don't like."

Effectively, Bakke will look to do to United what Bolton Wanderers tried to do to Villa at the Reebok last Saturday. But the Norwegian's midfield presence helped earn a 1-1 draw and he hopes for the chance to stay in ahead of jaded youngster Steven Davis as Villa bid to stretch their unbeaten league run to five games.

He said: "When I've not played, I've got on with it and trained hard. You don't sulk and when you get your chance, take it.

"Saturday was a battle. But when you've been down there, that's what you need to get out of there. It's not the prettiest football but we got something. And coming back from 1-0 down says a lot about the team."

O'Leary is comforted by the return to fitness of Mark Delaney. The injury-plagued Welshman had a 90-minute run-out for the reserves in Monday night's 4-0 over West Bromwich Albion.