Sir Alex Ferguson should have significant reinforcements to his defence when United bid to extend their unbeaten run to 24 games.
Patrice Evra will return after a short trip to France following a family bereavement, Edwin van der Sar will reclaim a starting spot off Anders Lindegaard and Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Rafael are all likely to be given the all-clear after recent injuries.
Dimitar Berbatov also sat out Saturday's FA Cup win at Southampton, although whether Wayne Rooney will partner him in attack is open to debate given Javier Hernandez has scored in his last two games.
Aston Villa will give a late fitness test to Gabriel Agbonlahor.
The striker is suffering from a hamstring injury, and is doubtful for the match.
Defender Nathan Baker is suspended and also has a calf injury, while midfielder Fabian Delph is missing due to a knee complaint.
American midfielder Michael Bradley was set to come into contention, pending the completion of his move to Villa from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Lindegaard, Rafael, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Nani, Obertan, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Gibson, Anderson, Giggs, Bebe, Rooney, Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen.
Villa (from): Friedel, L Young, Makoun, Dunne, Downing, A Young, Pires, Agbonlahor, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Heskey, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Clark, Cuellar, Bannan, Collins, Marshall, Bent, Lichaj, Herd, Walker.
