I used to love the Christmas period and was lucky enough to see the best of both worlds in my career. During my time in England I remember having to eat Christmas lunch and then head off to training in the afternoon to get ready for the Boxing Day game. Then while I was in Germany we had a Christmas break where the family used to head off to LA for a lovely time, although it did mean a second pre-season to get back into shape!

Back with the current times and Sunday has thrown up two very interesting fixtures just before Christmas. Swansea kick proceedings off when they welcome the league leaders to Wales and I’ve really enjoyed watching Michael Laudrup’s side.

The Swans love getting on the ball and their style is very easy on the eye. That does come with down sides as it leaves them open and that’s not how you keep Man United’s strikers quiet. Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney are a different class and the Dutchman has made me a few quid recently in the first goal scorer market.

There are still the obvious defensive concerns and Michu can give the visitors a run for their money. I saw Vicente del Bosque heaping praise on the Spanish striker and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the score sheet. I don’t think that will be enough though as United’s dominant attackers just have too much for them.

Aston Villa have been threatening a big performance in recent weeks and that’s exactly what they got at Anfield last weekend. It was a superb effort from a young side and it must have been a pleasure to watch for Paul Lambert.

It finally looks as if Villa’s young squad are getting to grips with their roles and they can only get better with time. In Christian Benteke they have an outstanding striker and it’s no wonder the calls for Darren Bent to start have gone silent around Villa Park.

Villa are at Stamford Bridge for Sunday’s late kick-off and they have another big chance for a positive result. Chelsea have been in Japan and had a midweek Capital One Cup game, so that will have taken it out of them. Rafa Benitez’s reprieve looks short lived with a flat defeat to Corinthians and I like Villa’s chances of raising more uncomfortable questions for the Spanish manager.

Betting on BETDAQ – Alan’s Punts:
Swansea v Man United – Back Man United at 1.7
Chelsea v Aston Villa – Back Aston Villa with +1.5 Asian handicap at 1.96

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