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Villa looking to end frustrating cup run

It would be no surprise if Martin O'Neill was sick of the sight of Manchester United but the Aston Villa manager has every reason to believe his side can finally end a frustrating run of failure against Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

The two clubs meet in the third round of the FA Cup today having faced each other at this stage of the competition three times in the previous six seasons with United triumphing on each occasion.

But with Villa playing as well as they have done for years -- and United having stuttered unconvincingly through a difficult festive program -- a repeat victory for Ferguson's side at Villa Park may prove difficult.

The United manager's decision to criticize the Old Trafford crowd for the lack of atmosphere during the New Year's Day victory over Birmingham may have distracted from his players' lackluster recent form.

But with Argentine play-maker Carlos Tevez missing with a bruised ankle, Ferguson will be forced to look elsewhere for inspiration if his side are to retain hope of improving on last season's run when they were defeated by Chelsea in the final.

Wayne Rooney's return after a two-game absence should at least compensate for the loss of Tevez, but with Villa having moved to sixth in the Premier League on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, United's passage into the fourth round is far from assured.
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