Speaking ahead of Tuesday's game, Unai Emery said: "We are going to face Manchester United and we are demanding of ourselves.
"We are happy. I am proud of our work, our way, with our supporters and the players. We face Man United better than them in the table.
"They are contenders to be in the top seven, top four teams more than us. Tuesday is a very good match for us to see how we can face them.
"Now we are going to face a top-seven team again away and away is always the challenge more than at home, usually it's more difficult."
If other results go their way, Aston Villa could actually go top of the Premier League table if they beat Man United at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, a win against Emery's side would take some pressure off Erik ten Hag as the Dutchman struggles to get the Red Devils back on track.
