Friday 19 December 2014 18:06, UK
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert believes Saturday's opponents Manchester United can still win the Barclays Premier League title this season.
Louis van Gaal's side trail league leaders Chelsea by eight points and sit five points behind rivals Manchester City.
Lambert acknowledged United’s indifferent start has made winning the title difficult but insists, with the quality of players van Gaal has at his disposal, they cannot be written off.
"They might not be able to lose many more games if they are going to win the title but they're certainly in with a shout," he said.
"It is still a brilliant club with great players. The players they have brought in, there are not many teams in world football who can do that.
"They're a really good side. Just because they've changed managers doesn't change my thinking of that football club.
"Chelsea and City have lost fewer games but if United don't win it they will certainly have a big say in who does. If we win tomorrow it's good for us, that is the most important thing. We have to win for ourselves; it's got nothing to do with stopping United."
Villa will be without three players through suspension when they welcome an in-form United side who have won six consecutive league games.
On-loan Tom Cleverley, who would not have been allowed to play against his parent club, is banned alongside Alan Hutton and Kieran Richardson.
Ashley Westwood (knee), Joe Cole (hamstring), Philippe Senderos (calf) and Nathan Baker (knee) are all injured, but captain Ron Vlaar and midfielder Fabian Delph are available after the pair returned from injury last weekend.
