Sunday is an important day at both ends of the Premier League table.

In the early kick-off struggling Aston Villa host West Ham at Villa Park and later on league leaders Manchester United face Everton at Old Trafford.

At Villa Park the home side will be desperate to collect maximum points, after going eight games without a Premier League victory. That poor run of form has led to the Villans to dropping down to 19^th place in the top flight table.

However, Villa did pick up a point at Everton last time out and produced a far more positive display than in recent months, although they did throw away a two-goal lead to collect a point on Merseyside.

The visitors have a poor away record, having not won away from home since November. However, their home form has kept them clear of danger and a 1-0 win against Swansea last time out moved the Irons nine points clear of the drop zone.

In the other game on Sunday, league leaders Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are currently nine points clear of champions and rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, with Manchester City visiting Southampton in Saturday’s late kick-off.

The Red Devils will be hoping to retain or even extend that lead against an Everton side they have found hard to beat in recent times. On the last two occasions that United have played Everton the Toffees have cause them problems.

In last season’s game at Old Trafford David Moyes’ side came back from 4-2 down to draw 4-4 and also defeated United in the first game of the season at Goodison Park. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to make changes to his line-up with a tough Champions League game against Real Madrid in midweek.

Can Aston Villa move out of the relegation zone this weekend?