Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor has vowed to fire his club against double champions Manchester United today in Villa Park.

Villa is the latest club banging on the door of the English Premier League's big four and after victory at Arsenal last week it hosts double champions Manchester United today.

Villa's 2-0 victory at the Emirates after a couple of hiccups is proof that boss Martin O'Neill's side is capable of breaking the stranglehold and victory over United would see them leapfrog Alex Ferguson's side.

With Curtis Davies, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry and Ashley Young all in the England squad for the midweek friendly against Germany in Berlin, Villa fans believe the club is on the verge of returning to the days when it was a force in Europe.

"The top four have set the standards. We want to close the gap and break into that top bracket," midfielder James Milner said.

"Champions League football is part of the aim. That's what every footballer wants to do; we all want that at Villa.

"But we can't get carried away after one good result. We'll need to be in the right frame of mind against United."

The real test, however, will be if Villa can produce consistent results against the title contender and cut out the dreadful performance that cost it in defeats against Middlesbrough and Newcastle United recently.

Villa, who last won the English title in 1981, has an appalling home record against United in recent years and has to go back to 2001 for the last time it managed a point.

Even so, United boss, Alex Ferguson will be wary of the threat it poses and is expected to recall striker Wayne Rooney and defender Rio Ferdinand, who both missed last weekend's 5-0 hammering of Stoke City and England's trip to Berlin.

United cannot afford many more slips this season, having fallen eight points behind leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand.

Chelsea, who leads the table on goal difference, is at home to a struggling Newcastle United side that will be without midfielder, Joey Barton, who has a knee injury.

Liverpool should have Steven Gerrard back for its home game against Fulham after he missed England's friendly with a well-documented thigh strain.

Gloom descended on Arsenal last week after the Villa defeat and Theo Walcott dislocating his shoulder training with England has added to the misery before the trip to Manchester City.

The Gunners is nine points adrift in the title race and manager Arsene Wenger can ill afford any more bad news as his players return to base from international duty.