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United stars return from international duty to face Villa

Martin O'Neill has already claimed the scalp of Jose Mourinho this season and the Aston Villa manager is determined to play another pivotal role in the Premier League title race against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United today.

O'Neill condemned Mourinho to what proved to be his final league defeat as Chelsea manager earlier this season but this time he can expect to find his burgeoning Aston Villa side battling to contend with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand desperate to recover from midweek setbacks.

Rooney made his transformation from hero to villain in rather swifter circumstances than usual in England's defeat in Russia, while Ferdinand's hopes of featuring in another European Championships hang by a thread.

Darren Fletcher will also return from a potentially damaging defeat after Scotland duty, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani were part of the Portugal side that sneaked a win in Kazakhstan.

Carlos Tevez represented Argentina in their World Cup qualifier and Nemanja Vidic -- who missed Serbia's Euro 2008 ties -- insists United's stars will have to recover quickly from their international exertions as they prepare for a tough trip to Villa Park.

"There have been a lot of games for the players and we always find the match after an international break is very tough," he said.

"It's hard to come back to the club and adapt your game -- everyone plays differently on international duty. When you return to United you have to find your feet again and it can take a few days to settle," he said.

"It's very hard when I have a home international game in Serbia, for example. I get to see my friends and family, which is nice, but that can take it out of you and it means you get less time to yourself to rest," Vidic said.

O'Neill is slowly masterminding a revival at Villa Park, with owner Randy Lerner insistent that if England do come calling, should Steve McClaren be ousted from office, he will not stand in the Ulsterman's way.
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